About

Brief

Deniz Orhun (born1974) is a Master Chef, Agricultural Engineer, Agricultural Economist, renowned media personality, and businesswoman, married since1998 to the same extraordinary man, Can (John).

Her Free World

Deniz is a devoted animal lover who enjoys driving, trekking, and creating practical, imaginative recipes that bring joy to everyday life. Her passions extend beyond the kitchen, with a deep love for nature, space exploration, and scientific discovery. As a NASA Citizen Scientist, she enjoys observing and studying the natural world. Deniz also supports her community, and a proud supporter of the Germantown Volunteer Fire Department

Education

She graduated from Ankara University with a degree in Agricultural Engineering – Agricultural Economics in1996. She later earned an MBA from London College and Hacettepe University. Deniz entered the culinary world at Kendall College in Chicago—often referred to as the "Harvard of the Culinary World"—part of National Louis University, where she was awarded the prestigious Joseph L. Karp Scholarship

Experience

Her multidisciplinary background has equipped her for multiple professions

Agriculture and Health Sector

Sales and Health Experience

Worked at Novartis and Merck Sharp Dohme, introducing innovative products to healthcare professionals and organizing impactful conferences.

Food, Culinary, Hospitality, Tourism, and Packaging Sector

Data and Operational Experience

Specialized in SAP systems as part of the IT team at Tetra Pak. Managed data preparation, cleansing, and implementation, provided staff training, offered ongoing SAP support, and contributed to operational improvements.At Four Seasons Chicago, she was part of the “special event task team” responsible for celebration cakes, banquets, and special events for celebrities, business leaders, and their families.

Culinary Entrepreneur

Founded Klemantin Open House Bakery and Patisserie, where she was the Chef & Owner for15 years. Led mass and retail production of sweet and savory goods, custom celebration cakes, and desserts for hotels and boutique restaurant chains. Provided seasonal menu consultancy for major coffee and chocolate chains, and health centers.

Education and Consultancy Sector

Collaboration with Private Sector, Universities, and Government

Collaborated extensively with universities and institutes such as Anadolu University, NEU, and TUBITAK (The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Türkiye). Served as a consultant to the Thermopolium Gastronomy Academy, Türkiye’s largest research and application kitchen. She is still an Advisory Board Member at Başkent University’s Turkish Cuisine Culture Research and Application Center.

Culinary Media Entrepreneur and Writing

Sharing Knowledge with the Community

Founded Klemantin Production, featured in over 1,300 TV shows (see TV Show section for details), and created 3,500+ recipes. Author of the book *What You Eat Affects How You Behave*; for other publications, please visit the "Publications" section for more.

Breaking Barriers

1. First chef Honorary Board Member of Gastronomy and Healthy Nutrition for the Traditional Complementary Medicine Association (GETAT).

2. The first multidisciplinary chef to keynote at the Medical Doctors’ Smell and Taste Symposium.

3. Won First Prize at the International Cuisine Festival, Chicago District, Kendall College (2007).

4. Prepared wedding offerings for Prince William, served as a guest chef at the Turkish Presidency, and catered for numerous celebrities in the USA and Turkey.

5. Member of the American Culinary Federation (Washington, DC) and the World Chef Organization.

6. Represented Turkey as a keynote speaker at the International Forum for 24 Solar Terms Regimen Gastronomic Culture Forum (UN, UNESCO, CCA, WCF) in Pingdu, China (2018).

7. Keynote speaker on Turkish Cuisine at the International Food and Catering Innovation Congress (UN, WTO, CCA) at CIFTIS in Beijing, China (2019).

8. Delivered a keynote on “Evaluation of Turkish Cuisine Based on Zero Waste” with UN, OECD, and World Bank representatives at the II. Zero Waste Summit, led by the Turkish Presidency and Ministry of Environment and Urban Planning (2019).

9. Keynote speaker on “What You Eat Affects How You Behave” at the Ankara Smell and Taste Sciences Symposium and Istanbul Smell and Taste Summit (2019).

10. Recognized by Elele magazine in March2020 as one of six Republican women who brought Turkey to the international stage.

11. First Turkish woman chef to present at IEEE (world’s largest engineering and tech organization) in May2017. Delivered research on gastronomy's adaptability to technology.

12. First Turkish chef to give a TEDx Talk (2017).