Turkish celebrity chef Cezen Burak, better known as Burak Ozdemir, has taken legal action against his father, Hasan Ozdemir, accusing him of committing financial fraud worth millions of dollars.
Chef Ozdemir has gained global fame through viral videos showcasing his culinary skills, earning him 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 Media, to steal and secure loans in the chef's name, doing so without his knowledge.
The chef claims that his father used his money to buy luxury residences and cars. Hatay Media was established to produce digital content for Chef Ozdemir's social media platforms, where he showcased his skills in preparing Arabic and Anatolian cuisine.
Initially known as "Smiley B", his fame grew worldwide and he then went into the restaurant business and owned a chain of restaurants. His first restaurant in the Aksaray district of Istanbul with 15 tables first opened in 2011. Later, the chef expanded his business with the help of his father and opened his second branch in the Taksim district in 2013.
Ozdemir gained more attention in 2021 by cooking kebabs in the middle of the Dubai desert. The rift between Burak and his father flared up when the chef said his father had sold one of his restaurants for $41 million. His father denied his claims, claiming that the money was invested in Ozdemir's business to support his son's brand, without any conspiracy.
The chef has said he plans to start over with his remaining savings and live with his mother. Legal proceedings are currently underway in a court in Istanbul, with the first hearing set for September. The chef remains popular in the Gulf region, particularly in Saudi Arabia.
News source: https://www.arabnews.com/node/2342206/business-economy
