Meet Sevtap, Aged 57, a Turkish- born chef and restaurateur. Sevtap is a renowned author, known for her contributions to Turkish Cuisine in Australia and her iconic café, Beachwood Café Yamba.
Canvs Bottega X Outland Denim Portrait Series Photographed by Elise Hassey.
Born in Ankara, Turkey, she moved to Australia in 1985 at the age of 17. Through hard work, resilience, and a passion shaped by her rich cultural heritage, she carved out an extraordinary journey—one documented in her cookbooks—that eventually led her to the Northern Rivers, NSW.
“Beachwood is my home, and it is the greatest source of joy for me to cook and look after people. The café has a tiny kitchen, just four metres by four metres, and ten tables comfortably seating about thirty people. It’s a vibrant little café, and I love getting to know each of the people who come here, whether they’re tourists or locals.”
“My meze has always been in my blood. It is the way I love to eat, the way I love to entertain, the way I love to share my food. Today, I serve my meze plates to people and watch the smiles on their beautiful faces. When I clear the plates, they are empty, with finger swipes on them, and that makes me smile.” -Sevtap
