With a distinguished culinary background cultivated in prestigious establishments and corporate environments, I, proudly blending Greek and Turkish heritage, epitomize a fusion of culinary excellence.

Trained at Le Cordon Bleu Ottawa and armed with certifications in food management and safety, I seamlessly merge formal expertise with a fervent passion for culinary exploration. My YouTube channel, "Jochef in the Kitchen," serves as a testament to my love for food and creativity, offering a glimpse into my world of refined gastronomy.

For me, cooking is...

an art form and a way to create memorable experiences through flavors and textures. It's a journey of exploration and sharing my passion for food.

I learned to cook at...

I learned to cook at Le Cordon Bleu Ottawa, where I received formal training in culinary arts but it started at home, cooking with my grandmother.

A cooking secret...

Well, is not going to be a secret anymore but testing, testing, testing. Maybe is not a secret but it is a huge key.

My menus

Gastronomic Odyssey

STARTER

All inclusive

Charcuterie board | 3 cheese, 2 meat, fruits & nuts

Crostini | fig, caramelized onion, goat cheese

Beetroot tartare | pita chips

FIRST COURSE

Choose 2 dishes

Duck confit | baklava phyllo, pesto

Grilled octopus | black garlic aioli

Anatolian soujouk skewer | halloumi cheese, tomato jam

Stuffed mussels arancini | marinara

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Leg of lamb | roasted vegetables, gremolata (chef serves tablesite)

Short ribs | mashed potatoes, red wine demi glace

Branzino en papillote | squash, kalamata olives

DESSERT

All inclusive

Baked tahini halva | pistachio ice cream

Pearls of the Sea

STARTER

All inclusive

Zucchini Rolls with Smoked Salmon and Cream Cheese

Fire roasted eggplant dip | herbed crostini

FIRST COURSE

All inclusive

Feta and spinach stuffed calamari served with a warm aromatic tomato sauce

MAIN COURSE

All inclusive

Branzino en Papillote | vegetables served with a gremolata on top

DESSERT

All inclusive

Mango and coconut panna cotta served with toasted coconut flakes on top

Summer Elegance

STARTER

All inclusive

Phyllo dough, kefalograviera, hot honey drizzle

Watermelon, mint gazpacho shooters

Grilled peach and burrata crostini

Phyllo cups, lobster, charred corn-mango salsa, cilantro lime dressing

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Grilled octopus | black garlic aioli

Imam bayildi (stuffed baby aubergine)

Atlantic salmon carpaccio, orange ponzu

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Branzino en papillote | squash, kalamata olives

Rack of lamb, pistachio crust, quinoa tabbouleh

Duck breast, cherry glaze, white asparagus

Beef short ribs, celeriac purée, port wine demi glaze

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Chocolate and Berry Panna Cotta

Baked sweet tahini cream, sliced almonds, vanilla ice cream

Rosewater icecream, gullac sheets crumble, pistachios

Harvest Bounty: A Vegetarian Feast

STARTER

All inclusive

Grilled halloumi, fresh mint and apricot chutney, pomegranate seeds

Eggplant caponata crostini, feta crumble

Zaatar cauliflower, tangy tahini dipping sauce

Crispy artichoke hearts, zesty lemon aioli

Phyllo dough, kefalograviera, hot honey drizzle

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Imam bayildi (stuffed baby aubergine)

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Fazzoletti, sun dried tomatoes, pesto, pine nuts

Summer tagine, dried apricots, almonds

Wild mushroom orzo risotto

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Baked tahini cream | pistachio ice cream

Lavender greek yogurt panna cotta

Exquisite Epicurean Elegance: A Culinary Journey

STARTER

All inclusive

Seared Scallops With Citrus Beurre Blanc

FIRST COURSE

All inclusive

Lobster Bisque With Truffle Foam

MAIN COURSE

All inclusive

Grilled Filet Mignon With red Wine Reduction, Creamy Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Sautéed Broccolini

DESSERT

All inclusive

Chocolate Lava Cake With Raspberry Coulis, Vanilla Bean ice Cream

Mediterranean Delights: A Feast of Flavors

STARTER

All inclusive

Fire roasted eggplant dip | herbed crostini

Zucchini Rolls with Smoked Salmon | Cream cheese

Beetroot carpaccio | truffle goat cheese, aged balsamic glaze

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Grilled Octopus | lemon vinaigrette

Calamari, feta and spinach | tomato sauce

Duck Confit | baklava phyllo

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Branzino en Papillote, vegetables | gremolata

Sole Meunière | leeks

Braised lamb shank | polenta, root vegetables

Braised beef short ribs | mashed potatoes

DESSERT

All inclusive

Baked tahini cream | pistachio ice cream

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Chef Yosif's reviews

4.17

•

2 services

I worked with Yosif to plan and execute a private dining experience in my home to celebrate my parents' birthday. Yosif was an absolute pleasure to work with from start to finish. He was willing to take the time to iterate menu options with me in order to accommodate my family's dietary requirements, and was able to provide multiple options for each course. On the day of the event, he arrived on time and well-prepared. We felt comfortable having him in our home, and he did a great job of being open and welcoming to us when we wanted to chat and understanding when he should give us our own space. He began serving the meal at exactly the time we requested, and he did a great job of presenting the menu and walking us through the dishes. Throughout the meal he coursed everything out with great timing. I also appreciated how open he was to taking photos with my family and understanding that the night was a special occasion for them. The food was delicious and everybody loved all the dishes, even my two young daughters who are often picky eaters. After the meal, I was pleased to see that our kitchen was spotless and returned exactly as it was before he arrived. I would certainly recommend Yosif to anybody looking for a personable and talented chef for their home and wouldn't hesitate to work with him again.