Hakkı Father’s Illness

Mehmet’s section “We lived the same life as my father” comes into play here, linking the story from his grandfather 7 Mehmet’s illness to Hakkı’s learning period. “I’ve been by my father’s side in the restaurant since I was two. I never left him. Even at night, after they put me to bed, I’d secretly take my pillow and blanket and sleep by the street door so he wouldn’t leave for work without me. As I grew, I started entering the kitchen, even challenging my father. He would cook one dish, I’d make another. We’d serve the same guest, and I’d watch to see whose dish they would prefer. I was young then—ignorant, really. My father was both my boss, my partner, and my biggest rival.

Then, my father became ill. After 2005, he gradually withdrew from the work. I realized I actually knew nothing. Everything I thought I knew, I had to research and learn again. For example, I thought I was good at shopping, at negotiating for ingredients. But I noticed suppliers dealt with me differently, only because they feared or respected my father. Once he stepped back, I saw how much my father had actually nurtured me and how crucial his role had been in my education—both morally and commercially.

This also applied to the kitchen: in recipe execution and development, and in managing the restaurant. Without him to guide me and correct my mistakes, I initially felt lost. But I took it as an opportunity to develop myself. Once, he had gone to Istanbul for treatment. Thankfully, things ran smoothly at the restaurant. I filled the cash register, thinking my father would be proud. When he returned, he saw the money, sat me down, and asked, ‘Have you paid the salaries?’ I said, ‘No.’ ‘Have you paid the taxes?’ I said, ‘No.’ ‘Have you settled debts with suppliers?’ I said, ‘No.’ Then he explained that the real “wealth” isn’t having a full cash register, but owing nothing to anyone. I’ve tried to live by that lesson ever since.”