Square Peg pre-empts Betül Tunç’s début cookbook Turkuaz Kitchen

Square Peg has pre-empted rights for Turkuaz Kitchen: Modern and Traditional Recipes for Savoury and Sweet Doughs by Instagram baker Betül Tunç. 

Marianne Tatepo, publishing director at Square Peg, acquired UK and Commonwealth rights from Rachel Berkowitz, subsidiary rights director at Crown Publishing Group, Penguin Random House US. The agent is Naomi Lennon at Lennon Management. US publication will be led by Cristina Garces, executive editor at Ten Speed Press.

Tunç is a baker originally from Turkey and the founder of the Turkuaz Kitchen, a social media plaform which has over 10 million followers on Instagram. In Turkuaz Kitchen, her first cookbook, Betül will share recipes for sweet and savoury doughs and the dishes to make with them. With inspiration from traditional Turkish recipes, as well as recipes she discovered on her travels, Turkuaz Kitchen is described as a "treasure trove for food lovers". 

Sqaure Peg said: "Betül’s love affair with dough began when she was just eight years old in Erzurum, a city nestled in north-eastern Turkey known for its long and snowy winters. During the dark, frosty days, she found solace baking Turkish breads and desserts with her mother and sisters. Betül’s enthusiasm for baking, especially for creating sweet and savoury doughs from scratch, followed her through her eventual move to the US and the expansion of her family. While searching for a creative outlet to share her cooking in her new home, Betül began creating vintage-style videos on Instagram, garnering an audience that grew rapidly with each post she shared. Turkuaz Kitchen is her first cookbook." 

Tunç said of the acquisition: "I am so glad to have found a home for my beloved first cookbook with Square Peg in the UK/Australia. Connecting to people around the world through food has always been one of the primary goals of the Turkuaz Kitchen page. I am excited for this partnership and opportunity to further reach readers with these cherished stories, images, and most importantly, recipes." 

Tatepo added: "Over the years, Betül has emerged as the trusted source of inspiration for millions of cooks worldwide. Her beloved Turkuaz Kitchen social media channels have become the destination for beautiful bakes, delicious dishes and a gentler pace of life filled with homemade delights. Now in book form for all to cherish and gift, Turkuaz Kitchen promises to bring Betül’s eye for simple, good food to kitchens everywhere – we are delighted to welcome her to Square Peg’s rapidly growing cookery list."