Cafe Fernando

Dear Readers of The San Francisco Chronicle

Remember me? The Turkish guy that landed at the San Francisco International Airport on a foggy Fall morning ten years ago? Yes, the one that turned heads at Crissy Fields every Sunday on top of his rollerblades.

I am sure we’ve met in one way or another. We might have brushed up against each other in a coffee house somewhere downtown, maybe flirted across tables in a restaurant in North Beach, or even made out in the silent streets of the Marina (call me). If you don’t belong to the lucky bunch, let me introduce myself.

I am assuming you’ve read this already. My name is Cenk (pronounced Jenk). I am a 31-year old food blogger, novice photographer, seasoned home baker and a shameless chocoholic from İstanbul, Turkey. I started this blog to share my kitchen adventures with friends and it got bigger in more ways than I’ve imagined.

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The Princes’ Islands

Last week, we took a boat trip to The Princes’ Islands – a chain of nine islands off the coast of Istanbul, in the Sea of Marmara.

The Princes’ Islands are very popular destinations, especially during the summer months, for day trips from Istanbul. These nine islands are Buyukada (largest), Heybeliada, Burgazada, Kinaliada (closest to Istanbul), Sedef Island, Yassiada, Sivriada, Kasik Island (spoon island, named for its shape) and Tavsanadasi. You can take a short ferry ride to the first four and the rest are private and pretty much uninhabited.

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Blueberry Granola Bars

I know, I know. You have been looking at photos of a can of flour for the past couple of weeks. And you’re probably thinking that I am lying on the couch, spooning Nutella, watching The Golden Girls and baking nothing. You’re wrong, my friend. Actually, I have been cooking A LOT lately. Not only that, but also took 2000+ food shots for the most exciting project yet. And no, it is not a book. All I needed was 5-6 golden shots. My dear friends opened their secret cabinets and let me borrow their gorgeous vintage bowls and Ottoman silverware and all the possible combinations made me dizzy. Also, you will not believe whom I cooked for. No, not Her Majesty. She’s way younger and much cuter. And she is the queen of another kingdom – the culinary one. No, not Martha. She’s way more talented and much cuter (sorry Martha, I can no longer hide my jealousy of your prop room).

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