Merve is from Istanbul, Turkey. After college, she decided to move to New York in 2001. She spent many years in corporate world and retire herself while she was a Marketing Director to do what she loves: cooking and baking and more importantly "be her own boss". 

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   She found NY-IST brand in 2010 and the brand was established in Istanbul Turkey on 2013.​ Her first venture of the brand was NY-IST Cafe which was located at the hearth of the city -Taksim. NY-IST Cafe was located on the first floor of the building which was also managed by NY-IST Group as a boutique hotel "NY-IST Suites". Soon the cafe and the hotel became a popular spot for locals, expats, and tourists. NY-IST Cafe was able to earn the title for” Istanbul’s Best Pancakes and New York Food” along with many other recognitions on newspapers, magazines and TV.

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   NY-IST started their baking brand- NY-IST Bakes the beginning of 2015. NY-IST bakes specializes in mini-one bite, guilt-free, artisan desserts such as mini cupcakes, mini cheesecakes, etc.​ Merve created her own desserts such as "Rock Star", "Rafael", so far and on that became very popular and well known.

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   In 2016 Merve decided to take her venture to United States and found this lovely town called "Glen Rock" in New Jersey which she called home and opened her restaurant Merve's Kitchen and Bakery. You can always find her at her restaurant either baking, chatting, giving classes or most likely giggling with her customers who became her friends and family in time.