Season 8 EP 10. : Ayse Ozlem Oguzcan-Cranston – Chef and Owner of Masa Midtown

Chef Ayse Ozlem Oguzcan-Cranston, also known as Chef Oz was born in Eskisehir Turkiye, but was raised in Brooklyn, New York. Chef Oz found her love of cooking at an early age, watching her Mother make meals for her family while growing up in Brooklyn. It was this love of cooking that inspired her to enter culinary school at the Institute of Culinary Education in NYC. After finishing her education at the Institute of Culinary Education in NYC, Ozlem decided to work at Abigail Kirsch Catering from 2007-2012. In 2014, Ozlem decided to open her own catering business and decided to cater in the tri-state area. When Ozlem and her husband moved to Kingston, NY, she got the opportunity to take over a brick and mortar restaurant and she opened Masa Midtown in March 2020 as a catering and events venue. When Covid hit, she pivoted her business to do takeout, but eventually opened to the public after the positive response from the community. Currently, Masa Midtown is open as a restaurant and catering business with Chef Oz at the helm. Chef Oz resides in Kingston with her husband, Bill Cranston, and her kitty. To learn more about Chef Oz and Masa Midtown: IG: masa-midtown