We recently had the chance to connect with Aykut -AK Demirhat and have shared our conversation below.
Aykut -AK, so good to connect and we’re excited to share your story and insights with our audience. There’s a ton to learn from your story, but let’s start with a warm up before we get into the heart of the interview. What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
Spending time with my three years old son Arel brings me so much joy. Seeing him grow and experience new things is truly special.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Aykut, the owner of Cafe Ostro.
My cafe is all about serving healthy, Mediterranean-inspired food made from scratch with clean ingredients. We draw inspiration from the Mediterranean diet and street food, focusing on fresh flavors and healthy options. What makes Cafe Ostro special is our commitment to using high-quality ingredients and creating a welcoming atmosphere for our customers.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
I was a curious kid growing up in Ankara, loving food, especially my mom’s cooking. Before the world told me who I had to be, I was driven by passion – to cook, to innovate, and to make people happy with food. Starting as a busboy and dishwasher, I followed my gut and love for food, leading me to create Cafe Ostro where I innovate dishes inspired by Mediterranean street food, using clean ingredients. I think that’s the real me – someone chasing passion in food and making a difference.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Suffering taught me the depth of resilience needed to run a business like Cafe Ostro. Whether in the kitchen crafting Mediterranean-inspired dishes from scratch or navigating the challenges of entrepreneurship, tough times showed me how to adapt, prioritize, and stay focused on what matters – delivering healthy food made with care to my customers in North Georgia and Chattanooga. It taught me to turn obstacles into opportunities for growth.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. What truths are so foundational in your life that you rarely articulate them?
For me, some foundational truths are that family is my rock, health is wealth, and passion-driven work brings fulfillment. I believe in serving others with love and care through the food I create at Cafe Ostro. These truths guide my decisions and actions every day.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. Are you tap dancing to work? Have you been that level of excited at any point in your career? If so, please tell us about those days.
One of my career highlights was opening Cafe Ostro and serving my first customers. It was a dream come true, and I felt an overwhelming sense of pride and accomplishment. Seeing customers enjoy our Mediterranean-inspired dishes and sharing their positive feedback with us made all the hard work worth it. It was a moment of pure joy and validation, and it motivated me to continue innovating and serving our community with love and care.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Cafeostro.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cafeostro?igsh=MWptaWNwYmIwZW5zdw%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1EKehEZiPK/?mibextid=wwXIfr
- Other: Thank you for giving this opportunity to me. I m very happy to be part of your magazine. I would appreciate if you share my story on your social media ( instagram or facebook) since my business is very active on these platforms. Thank you again. AK
