From Tech to Turkish Delights

A local café isn’t just a place to grab a coffee; it’s a vital community hub, a welcome respite from teh demands of modern life. in Ballyphehane, Cork, a new café is offering just that – and a little bit more. Tory’s Café, on Tory Top Road, ⁤has recently been reimagined by⁢ Ali Can Fincan and Halit Aker, two ⁤friends who traded the world of artificial intelligence for the aroma⁢ of freshly baked pastries and strong Turkish coffee.

The pair, who have lived in Ireland for nearly seven years, previously worked at Apple, with Ali specializing in AI and Halit in data science after completing studies at Trinity‍ College Dublin and MTU respectively. “Being on a computer all day ‍makes you tired ⁤mentally,” Ali explains. “In ⁤the café, you are happy. You talk ‍to customers and see different people. The time goes fast.”

Blending Irish Tradition with Turkish Flavors

Taking over the café approximately two months ⁢ago from its previous owners, two local Cork women, Ali and Halit have carefully ⁤balanced honoring the café’s established reputation with introducing⁢ a taste of their Turkish ⁣heritage. Customers can still enjoy⁢ classic Irish breakfasts – full Irish, vegetarian options, scrambled eggs, eggs benedict, omelettes – alongside familiar favorites like soup, sandwiches, cakes, and scones.

but the menu now boasts enticing Turkish treats. Baklava, pistachio and ⁢chocolate cake, and borek – a savory pastry filled with spinach and feta – are quickly becoming popular choices. The café also serves menemen, a flavorful dish of scrambled eggs with tomatoes, onions, and olive oil, and a unique egg dish featuring poached eggs with yogurt and garlic. A conventional Turkish coffee service, complete with a small china cup, a glass of water, and a piece of Turkish delight, offers ‍a truly immersive experience.

A Family Affair and a Community Focus

The pastry⁣ selection at Tory’s Café is especially special, thanks to the skills of Buse, halit’s wife. Her family ran a bakery in Istanbul for over ⁢40 years, and she continues that tradition in Ballyphehane, bringing a wealth of experience and a passion for baking. The ⁣couple, along with their young daughters Alice (8 months) and Hazel (18 months), reside in Glanmire.

Ali ‍and Halit intentionally chose Cork over Dublin,finding the city’s pace and community spirit more appealing. “It’s quieter ⁤and the people are so nice ‍and kind,” Ali⁣ shares. ⁣”I was born and raised in⁤ Istanbul, which is a big city. But for me, it’s better to⁣ live in a small city.” They’ve also been⁤ pleasantly surprised by⁢ the openness of their customers to trying new dishes.

Looking Ahead

tory’s Café, which ⁤currently seats 26 people and employs two Brazilian staff members, is preparing for a busier autumn with the return of students. Ali anticipates increased foot traffic ⁢and is optimistic about the future of the business.While they haven’t yet had the opportunity to dine at Dede, the renowned⁢ Michelin-starred Turkish restaurant ⁤in West Cork, they enjoy exploring Cork’s culinary scene, with Ali favoring Quinlans for fish and Tradehouse Central in Ballincollig for steak.