The World Turkish Cuisine and Chefs Academy is a culinary institution dedicated to preserving and promoting the cultural and gastronomic legacy of Turkish cuisine. Our Chancellor, Chef Tolgahan Gulyiyen, is a Turkish-American chef who began his culinary journey at a young age, inspired by the legacy of his father.

Chef Zeki Gulyiyen, Tolgahan’s father, was a renowned culinary figure in Türkiye known as the "Master of the Chefs." He was the founder of ZG Restaurants and served as the private chef to the 22nd Turkish Prime Minister, Tansu Çiller—the first woman to hold this office in the history of the Republic of Türkiye.

Following the tragic loss of his father, Chef Tolgahan Gulyiyen moved to the United States to continue both his personal journey and professional mission.

He has worked at prestigious institutions such as the Çırağan Palace Hotel Kempinski in Istanbul and the Caprice Palace Thermal Hotel in Aydın. While still a university student, he gained international experience working at Marriott Hotels in Orlando, Florida.

A top graduate of Aydın Adnan Menderes University's Department of Gastronomy and Culinary Arts, Chef Tolgahan finished first in all academic divisions. His outstanding performance earned him an internship in Greece at Magic Life Hotels. During his student years, he represented Türkiye in international culinary competitions and won multiple awards.

After returning from Greece, he continued his culinary journey at North Shield Restaurant in Ankara and briefly worked in Northern Cyprus before officially relocating to the United States through a position with Hilton Hotels.

Over the past 15 years, Chef Tolgahan Gulyiyen has served as a chef, consultant, and concept developer for various restaurants across the United States. He has been instrumental in designing culinary programs and menus rooted in tradition yet tailored to modern tastes.

He spent over three years at José Andrés’s ThinkFoodGroup, working at Zaytinya and being invited to the avant-garde kitchen of Minibar. He also led the kitchen at Kazan Restaurant, Washington D.C.’s oldest Turkish restaurant, with a 41-year history.

Throughout his career, Chef Tolgahan has had the honor of cooking for esteemed individuals such as former First Lady Michelle Obama and former U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, among other prominent figures.

Today, as Chancellor of the World Turkish Cuisine and Chefs Academy, Chef Tolgahan Gulyiyen continues to champion the values, traditions, and future of Turkish gastronomy. He remains committed to advancing culinary education, cross-cultural understanding, and the global recognition of authentic Turkish cuisine.