Celebrity Turkish chef Somer Sivrioglu sentenced to 5.5 years in prison

Renowned chef Somer Sivrioglu has been sentenced to 5 years, 6 months, and 20 days in prison over a tragic incident in Istanbul that claimed one life and injured another.

Court ruling in Istanbul

The case dates back to May 21, 2022, when a retaining wall in front of a restaurant on Nispetiye Street in Istanbul’s Etiler district collapsed. The incident resulted in the death of Ahmad Muhammed Salem Lubbad and the injury of Baha Eddin Ali Hafez Shanableh. Sivrioglu and two others—Kazim Evirgen and Kadri Berk Cemal—were convicted of causing death and injury through negligence.

The court ruled that the defendants failed to address necessary licensing, maintenance, or reinforcement work despite the evident risk of collapse. The initial sentence of six years and eight months was reduced to five years, six months, and 20 days, considering the impact of the conviction on the defendants.

Details from the investigation

According to the indictment, the accused acted in violation of their duty of care, leading to the tragic loss of life. Prosecutors originally sought sentences ranging from two years and eight months to 22 years and six months for multiple individuals, including Sivrioglu. Four other defendants—Sakine Ocal, Gulay Kula, Sevinc Kula, and Mehmet Levent Kula—were acquitted.

Who is chef Somer Sivrioglu?

Born in 1971 in Istanbul’s Kadikoy district, Somer Sivrioglu moved to Australia in 1995 at the age of 25 to pursue a master’s degree after graduating from Bilkent University’s Tourism and Hospitality Management program.

Sivrioglu made a name for himself internationally by opening Efendy, a Turkish restaurant in Sydney that showcases authentic Turkish flavors. The restaurant quickly became a renowned culinary destination. Over the years, Sivrioglu has earned numerous accolades, including awards for best restaurant and best meat dishes.

Sivrioglu is the co-author of the cookbook Anatolia: Adventures in Turkish Cooking, which explores the rich culinary heritage of Türkiye. He also hosted the radio program Lezzet Yolculugu and worked as a columnist.

MasterChef Türkiye fame

Sivrioglu is best known for his role as a jury member and host of MasterChef Türkiye, where he appears alongside Mehmet Yalcinkaya and Danilo Zanna.

The ruling has sparked discussions about corporate accountability and the responsibilities of public-facing individuals in ensuring public safety. While Sivrioglu’s culinary career has reached global heights, this case serves as a reminder of the legal obligations tied to property ownership and management.