Tourism and Hotel Management (THM) graduate Osman Sezener has been awarded a Michelin Star for two of his restaurants, Kitchen in Bodrum and OD Urla (also awarded a Michelin Green Star for sustainable cooking). Additionally, Sezener’s family-owned restaurant Ristorante Pizzeria Venedik was awarded Michelin Selection (Point of View) status. This makes Sezener the only chef and entrepreneur with four distinct Michelin designations across three restaurants in Turkey.
Michelin Star is one of the most prestigious rating systems, established by the well-known tire manufacturing company. Michelin was founded in 1889 by two French brothers, Andre and Edouard Michelin, who later developed a restaurant guidebook for motorists. In its early and simple criteria, this guidebook awarded three stars: one for restaurants that were worth a stop, two for those worth a detour and three for those worth a journey. The same rating system lives on as a symbol of excellence, and earning even one star is a coveted prize.
In addition to Osman Sezener, THM boasts other graduates behind prestigious restaurants on Michelin lists, such as Somer Sivrioğlu as the cofounder of Efendy (Michelin Bib Gourmand) and Fikret Demirağ as executive chef of Banyan (Michelin Selected). For a quick reference, Michelin’s “Bib Gourmand” signifies exceptional quality at a value price.
