Mustafa Ufuk Keşoğlu
Business Development Manager & Instructor
M. Ufuk Keşoğlu has a strong background in gastronomy, food innovation, and business development. With a Grand Diplôme from Le Cordon Bleu and a degree in Gastronomy & Culinary Arts from Özyeğin University, he has worked in Michelin-starred kitchens and led large-scale food projects.
As Business Development Manager at Metro Türkiye, he managed strategic partnerships, product development, and industry training at Gastronometro, the company’s food innovation centre. He played a key role in Metro Türkiye’s inclusion in the Dow Jones Sustainability Index and collaborated with the World Food Programme (WFP) on sustainability and food security initiatives.
In addition to his corporate experience, Ufuk co-founded Türkiye’s first fintech-enabled B2B marketplace for the food industry, leading its strategic growth, supplier relations, and investor negotiations before successfully exiting the company.
He has represented the food industry in discussions with Türkiye’s Ministry of National Education and participated in WFP Türkiye’s annual evaluation meeting as a private sector representative, sharing insights on industry engagement in food security efforts.
Furthermore, Ufuk is an active member of Slow Food and was instrumental in founding the Slow Food Türkiye Cook Alliance, promoting local producers and preserving culinary heritage. He also lectures at Cappadocia University, sharing his expertise in gastronomy and project management, and has served as an IGCAT Expert since 2025.
Committed to sustainability and social impact, he continues to develop projects that bridge gastronomy, business, and community-driven initiatives.
8 July 2025
