Whats your view of new competition in the shape of reasonably priced Lebanese and Greek restaurant chains?
I don’t see this as competition; we all help to make a market for Middle Eastern food, and I see them as my brothers. It’s far better to be part of a fruitful forest than stuck in a desert on your own. I am actually teaching people how to open Turkish restaurants, and if they want to open one next door to me, then no problem. I am genuinely happy to teach people how to copy me, and people are now opening up Sofra-style restaurants all over the world. I would also help to train anyone who wants to set up a Sofra franchise in the UK, outside of London. Although, I would prefer this to be taken on by somebody British, rather than Turkish, because it is a chain concept, and I would want the Turkish food to continue to be made in my style. Turkish people might be more inclined to let their own tastes creep in. So what’s the next challenge for you? I definitely have plans for more restaurants, but it’ll have to wait until next year. This year I’m having a break. Ozer Restaurant, 5 Langham Pl
