Chef Isil Okcu of Soho House Hong Kong

Mar 29, 2026

Işıl Okçu has been with Soho House around the world - think Brooklyn, Berlin, Istanbul, and now Hong Kong - for over a decade. Not only is she the Senior Sous Chef in HK, she is also the driving force behind the food and event styling for a number of House initiatives and private parties on site, including the Turkish Brunch, which celebrates her homeland. A graduate of Culinary Arts and Management, Işıl adores discovering new dishes, techniques, and presentations on her extensive travels, always hunting for that creative spark. She excels at composing stunning still-life moments and setting up tables that make every meal a holistic experience. Işıl views herself as a visual artist, blending food, art, and fashion. Take one look at her vibrant personal style, filled with mesmerizing colors and hard-to-get vintage finds, and you'll see how her collected journeys integrate into all her self-expressive endeavors. Endlessly curious and always down to try something outside the box, Işıl brings a bit of magic and a lot of enthusiasm to every moment, whether it's a bite, a dish, a dinner, an event, or an outfit.

A summer moment with Işıl

Chef Işıl Okçu Prepping for service

Seeing red at an event by Işıl

Işıl exploring Hanoi, Vietnam

A Mediterranean moment at
Soho House Hong Kong

Reflections

The Aegean to The World

How has your upbringing influenced your cooking and entertaining: My mom is a good cook, especially with her rich and diverse Aegean cuisine from İzmir, the place I call home. Also I grew up surrounded by vibrant colors and delicious flavors, which has really shaped my taste. I draw inspiration from the places I’ve traveled, the cookbooks I’ve collected, and my love for architecture, furniture, and fashion. I truly believe all these passions are connected to food, and when they come together, they create wonderful experiences!

Where do you find inspiration: All over! I love checking out good restaurants and flipping through cookbooks. My iPhone gallery is like my personal mood board, packed with snapshots from art exhibitions, bookstores in Paris and Tokyo, and cool places I visit. I also draw a lot from my travels—think the French coast, rustic gardens, and those charming Greek houses. And I can't forget Pinterest; I could scroll through that for hours finding fun ideas! It’s all about mixing what I see with what I love!

What brought you to Hong Kong: Honestly? After NYC, Hong Kong just felt like the next cool move. Before I made my way to Soho House Hong Kong, I was at Dumbo House in New York. When I heard about the exciting opening here, I couldn't resist reaching out to our Asia director to see if I could be a part of it. I’d never been to Asia before and didn’t know much about the scene. I kind of moved to HK like I was going on holiday - no overthinking, no deep research, just a gut feeling. The idea of Hong Kong felt exciting after living in Europe and the States. This skyline, insane food, nonstop energy, and culture-kinda vibe, curiosity, ambition, and a little “why not?” swagger. And here I am, loving every moment!

Productions

For a Good Time Call

The magic element for your events: It's all about that blend of authenticity and fun! I really believe the details are super important—things like the lighting, design, and the mix of colors and textures. And, of course, you can’t forget about great food and wine! When you put all that together, it creates such a fun vibe!

Ingredients you couldn’t live without: Cheeses! Brillat-Savarin, a good sourdough and wine! Of course right after a good artisan chocolate! VOILA!

Dream dinner party guest list: Callum Turner - can't just stop looking at him! Slim Aarons - he captures the vibe just right. Pedro Pascal - he brings so much to the table. Jannik Sinner - need to play tennis with him sometime. Peggy Gou- always brings cheesy fun! My 2-3 besties - for great company!

An event organized by Işıl
in Bodrum, Turkey

Cheese, cheese, and more cheese -
something Işıl couldn't live without

Işıl (finally a guest!) enjoying her BFFs wedding in Bodrum, Turkey

A memorable meal at Le Doyenné

Işıl will head to Çeşme next

Wanderings

Best Bites

Favorite place to host a meal: Absolutely my friend’s backyard in Urla, Izmir. It’s this gorgeous stone house surrounded by olive trees, giving off a vibe that’s a mix of Tuscany and Mallorca. The pool reflects the bright blue sky, and there are all these cool antiques around, plus a big, rustic wooden table that’s perfect for gathering. It’s such a magical place to chill and enjoy great food with friends!

Most memorable meal: At Le Doyenne in France, the food was amazing! This was my second visit, and everything had that perfect rustic vibe. It was an incredible experience. I’ve been to Noma in Kyoto, but nothing has impacted me quite like this place. The food and ambiance are everything! The garden, fireplace, books, animals, cheese selection, and oat cappuccinos—everything was on point!

Next stop on the travel list: I want to meet up with my Dutch and Italian friends living in Amsterdam in Çeşme, Turkey, to show them my favorite beach life! We’re all about good food, drinks, music, and the beach! Last summer, we had an unforgettable time in Sicily, and now the plan is to head to Çeşme. I will take them to the vineyards in Urla, then to Çeşme’s Alaçatı and to Asma Yaprağı to taste some delicious Aegean meze!

Best tips for novices tablescaping: Stack books, use cake stands or boxes under linens to create levels for visual interest and easier reach. Layer linens, woven placemats, and fresh greens instead of overcrowding with accessories. Pick one unexpected prop per table such as a sculptural bowl, ceramic vase, or quirky candle holder to be the focal point. Use vintage pieces - maybe a brass tray or some worn silver serving pieces - against modern plates to give instant personality.

At Home

Vintage picks and rare finds

The last item you purchased for your home: I just got back from Paris, and I scored an awesome silver tea set at a French market in Hauteville, where my friend’s mom has this lovely countryside spot. It has a chic single-serving teapot and a milk jug — perfect for my tea vibes.

The last gift you received and loved for your home: After revisiting the MEP photography Museum in Paris, I swung by a bookstore with my friend, a fashion photographer in New York. She got me this awesome Nan Goldin poster, and I can’t wait to use it to decorate my wall.

What do you collect: I collect a few fun things - photography books and cookbooks, coasters, menus, matchboxes, linen napkins, and silverware.