Laura Ozyilmaz

HOMETOWN: Acapulco, Mexico
CURRENT CITY OF RESIDENCE: San Francisco
OCCUPATION/PROFESSION: Executive Chef & Owner, Dalida 

Born and raised in Mexico, Laura Ozyilmaz was enchanted by the culinary world at an early age. She pursued her culinary education at the Centro Culinario Ambrosía in Mexico City, New York’s Culinary Institute of America (CIA), and the Basque Culinary Center in Spain, during which time she worked at the prestigious Mugaritz in San Sebastian. Laura sharpened her skills at the Michelin-rated restaurants Eleven Madison Park and Café Boulud in New York and Saison in San Francisco. Upon moving to San Francisco, she launched a successful pop-up with her husband, Sayat, Istanbul Modern SF. She was then a co-owner and co-Executive Chef, alongside Sayat at Noosh. Laura currently owns Dalida, which opened in 2023 in The Presidio of San Francisco, which represents elevated Middle Eastern cuisine with bold flavors and dynamic dishes. Dalida was named Best New Restaurant in America by Esquire, Best New Restaurant by Eater SF and was recently added to the Michelin Guide. Laura is proud to be a successful female chef and immigrant, and prides herself on being a perfectionist. Laura was recognized as Chef Game Changer by StarChefs and Rising Star by the San Francisco Chronicle. She was announced as a 2024 James Beard Best Chef Semifinalist for California.