Born and raised in Istanbul, Cagla Boynak discovered her passion for food early on. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Gastronomy and Culinary Arts from Özyeğin University, in partnership with Le Cordon Bleu, blending formal training with hands-on experience. During her studies, she worked in several kitchens, most notably at Çiya Sofrası, where she explored Turkey’s diverse regional and local flavors.
After Istanbul, Cagla moved to New York City, where she spent five years working in Michelin-starred restaurants, mastering a variety of international cuisines. In her final year in New York, she served as sous chef during the opening of a new restaurant, which earned its first Michelin star in the same year.
Following her intensive journey in New York, Cagla relocated to the Bay Area, where she spent her first year exploring local kitchens and wine cellars, discovering the region’s unique flavors and ingredients. For over a year now, she has been enriching the Bay Area’s culinary scene through her venture, Cagla Cooks, bringing her expertise in personalized dining experiences to local clients as a sought-after San Francisco private chef.