Entrepreneur rebuilds life in Antakya with handmade pasta business

Gökçe Yılmaz Çilingir, a history graduate and former pet groomer, has launched a new culinary venture in Antakya following the devastating February 6 earthquakes. Her previous business was destroyed and looted during the disaster, prompting a period of relocation and recovery.

To rebuild her life, Çilingir transitioned into the culinary arts by combining the traditional manti and noodle culture of her hometown, Sinop, with Italian pasta techniques. After undergoing specialized training, she opened an establishment in the gastronomy-focused city of Hatay, where she produces handmade pasta. Her menu includes unique presentations, such as flavoring pasta using parmesan wheels, aiming to provide a new dining alternative to the region's traditionally meat-heavy cuisine.