ANKARA: Famous Turkish chef and social media sensation CZN Burak, whose real name is Burak Ozdemir, has taken legal action against his father, Hasan Ozdemir, accusing him of committing fraud to the tune of millions of dollars.
Chef Ozdemir has gained widespread recognition through his viral videos showcasing his culinary skills, amassing an impressive 49 million followers on Instagram.
The lawsuit, which seeks $10 million in damages, alleges that Hasan Ozdemir used his son’s media and entertainment company, Hatay Medya, to embezzle funds and obtain loans in the chef’s name and without his knowledge.
The chef claims that his father utilized the misappropriated funds to acquire luxury cars and properties.
Hatay Medya was established to produce digital content for chef Ozdemir’s social media platforms, on which he demonstrated his expertise in preparing Arab and Anatolian delicacies.
Initially known as Smiley Bae, the chef’s popularity soared, and he later ventured into the restaurant business, owning a chain of establishments.
His first restaurant, in the Aksaray neighborhood of Istanbul, had only 15 tables when it first opened in 2011. The chef, with his father’s help, then expanded his business over the years and opened his second branch in 2013 in Taksim.
Ozdemir garnered further attention in 2021 by cooking kebabs in the middle of a desert in Dubai.
The dispute between the chef and his father escalated when the former said Hasan had sold the rights of a restaurant of his for $41 million.
His father rejected the accusations, claiming that the money was invested in his son’s business without any fraudulent intent.
He denied defrauding his son and maintained that the financial assistance provided by his son was primarily aimed at promoting his brand.
The chef has said he intends rebuilding his life from scratch using his remaining savings, and that he plans to live with his mother.
Legal proceedings are currently pending in a court in Istanbul, with the first hearing scheduled for September.
The chef continues to enjoy immense popularity in the Gulf region, particularly in Saudi Arabia, which he frequently visits.
In addition to his culinary pursuits, he has also revealed a charitable side, providing humanitarian aid to victims affected by the devastating earthquakes that struck Hatay in February.
His father recently spoke on Turkish news channel Kanal D, vehemently denying all the allegations made against him.
He said: “Burak says that I defrauded him. It makes no sense.
“Nobody knew who Burak was two years ago. I provided his social media visibility; I assumed his sponsorship.”
The fate of the chef’s restaurants remains uncertain, but further clarity is expected following the court's ruling in the autumn.
