Pınar Bakar is both an entrepreneur and gives cookery training at İpekyolu Nurdağı Social Entrepreneurship Centre.

At its helm is Pınar Bakar. She is not just a chef, but a determined entrepreneur who pursued her dreams with unwavering courage. Pınar established her own business thanks to the training and grant support she received through the EU-funded The Social Entrepreneurship, Empowerment, and Cohesion Between Refugees and Host Communities in Türkiye (SEECO) Project.

Today, she not only runs her own restaurant but also serves as a culinary instructor at the İpekyolu Nurdağı Social Entrepreneurship Centre, inspiring the next generation of chefs.

The SEECO Project was implemented across 11 provinces in Türkiye to enhance the economic participation of women and youth while fostering social cohesion. One of its primary goals is to empower disadvantaged groups—such as women, youth, and individuals with disabilities— by unlocking their potential and facilitating their active engagement in the economy. In Gaziantep, the project was carried out by the İpekyolu Development Agency.

The İpekyolu Nurdağı Social Entrepreneurship Centre was established under the SEECO Project in the immediate aftermath of the devastating earthquake that struck the region in 2023. Supported by numerous local institutions, the centre provides vocational training for both adults and young people.

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The centre provides various trainings for young people and adults.

Those who successfully complete the training receive certificates approved by the Ministry of National Education, allowing them to gain qualified worker status and access employment opportunities in both the public and private sectors. Pınar Bakar is part of the training team delivering courses at the centre.

Pınar started teaching in the SEECO Project’s kitchen after recovering from her extensive injuries suffered during the earthquake. She was trapped under rubble for two days and was rescued after suffering 96 fractures.

 “By setting up this kitchen, the project provided us with jobs and my students with training opportunities. It also gave me a chance to impact many lives,” says Pınar. She adds, “Young people have an incredible energy. When I sense their genuine enthusiasm for learning, I am able to give my best and truly reach my full potential.”

The SEECO Project has not only transformed the lives of its trainees but also played a pivotal role in helping Pınar achieve her own dreams. Using the grant she received from the project, she opened a small restaurant, naming it after her son, Çağatay, whom she lost in the earthquake.

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Pınar’s restaurant bears the name of the son she lost in the earthquake.

“I have 23 years of experience, yes, but I also needed support. It wasn’t just about knowing my craft—I needed a helping hand, and the project provided that opportunity,” she says. “The benefits I gained from this support go beyond financial assistance. I have been able to create job opportunities for women like myself and for Syrian refugees. That, to me, is the greatest reward.”

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Pınar’s small restaurant serves some of the finest dishes of Gaziantep’s renowned cuisine.

Pınar’s small restaurant serves some of the finest dishes of Gaziantep’s renowned cuisine. Every meal she prepares with fresh ingredients reflects her culinary expertise.

However, what brings her the most pride is not just her business, but the students she mentors at the entrepreneurship centre.

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The energy of young people is one of Pınar’s biggest sources of motivation.

One of her students, Burcu, says: “From my instructor Pınar, I learned not just how to cook, but also to love the kitchen. When I first joined, I had no confidence in myself. Now, I dream of opening my own business—I want to become a skilled pastry chef.”

Another student, Yasin, adds, “Seeing my instructor Pınar start her own restaurant has inspired me. One day, I want to open my own place too.”

For Pınar, success is not just about realising her own dream—it is about helping others carve their own paths. Thanks to the SEECO Project, this has become a reality. Today, she is not only shaping the future of her restaurant but also the futures of her students.

Her story is a testament to the courage and dedication required for entrepreneurship. It also proves that with the right support, dreams can be turned into reality. And in her kitchen, the aromas rising from every dish are not just scents of food— they carry the essence of perseverance, passion, and inspiration.

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