Refining their Dream

Written By: Luke Osteen | Issue: December 2023

Ashli Senturk, Nesli Senturk, and Hasan Korkmaz

Earlier this year, I wrote about how Nesli and Vinnie Senturk had been working to make their new Hidden Valley Tavern into a dining destination for this corner of Western North Carolina and, just as important, a community touchstone where locals could relax and celebrate and revel in that undeniable Sapphire spirit.

When you visited the place, you’d immediately feel part of the family.

In retrospect, it seemed remarkably prescient. The Senturks were always there, chatting with diners and bar patrons, and there was daughter Ashli and son Kaan, filling in wherever needed.

And the warm, cozy décor, that was Nesli’s vision.

“I love decorating, so I’ve had a wonderful time coming up with the new look for Hidden Valley Tavern,” she said. “A lot of our guests have remarked on the McKenzie-Child Décor throughout the tavern. I think it gives us a real cozy look that you can feel.”

Well, the Senturks have spent the last year refining their dream, and they’ve unveiled a set of changes that’re sure to resonate throughout Transylvania, Jackson, and Macon counties.

(That’s not hype – our good friends Michael Paxton and Megan Potts, both Highlanders, have made a point to mark all their important dates on the calendar with intimate dinners at Hidden Valley Tavern.)

First up, the Senturks have recruited a new executive chef, Hasan Korkmaz, who’s emerged as an international culinary superstar.

With over 26 years in the kitchen cooking throughout the world at renowned hotels and restaurants in Barcelona, Istanbul, Milan, Berlin, Paris, and, most recently, the InterContinental New York, Chef Korkmaz brings a new and fresh menu inspired by the tastes and flavors of the Mediterranean.

Chef Korkmaz, the 2008 gold medal winner at that International Gastronomy Festival in Athens and executive chef in such restaurants as the Mistral French Restaurant in New York and the Roana Hotel in Dubai from 2018 to 2021, brings a passion, quality, and level of cooking the likes of which have not been seen in this portion of the state.

Continually honing and developing his craft, Chef Korkmaz is now pursuing a vision that allows him to step away from the life and demands of venues in the world’s major cities to a quaint and welcoming Carolina experience to elevate his artistry in the kitchen and continue to pursue his passion.

Hidden Valley has become a dining destination for this corner of Western North Carolina.

“I can’t wait for our regulars to sample the new dishes,” says Vinnie. “Hasan is looking forward to surprising everyone with his kitchen.”

And Nesli has continued bringing her decorating talents into play.

“Do I do it all by myself? No, I also rely on my handyman Chris,” she says. “I buy most of my decorations and interior decor from local shops and stores because I think it’s important to support our neighbors. I have a good sense of style, since I’ve always kept our home looking ‘cozy’ and ‘seasonal’ and we’ve always entertained.

The tavern has already developed a reputation for its seasonal displays, and this month it’ll be outfitted in full Christmas mode, with every table and every corner decorated and a piano at the center of the dining room for holiday favorites playing throughout the dining experience.

“I want people to feel like they’re truly our guests, where they can relax and enjoy good food in a beautiful setting.”

“We’ll have Hidden Valley Tavern light up the night starting on December 1 with free hot chocolate, Christmas cookies, and Santa Claus,” Nesli says. “And yes, we’ll be open for Christmas Eve, with live music and piano, pictures with Santa, warm Christmas wine and a special Christmas Dinner menu.”

That warm, personalized touch means everything in the dizzying hospitality world, especially in the close-knit Sapphire/Toxaway communities.

That’s why you’ll still find Vinnie and Nesli checking in with their patrons and slipping through the kitchen to ensure that everything’s in place. (True, Hasan will be overseeing everything with an artist’s eye to detail, but the Senturks are that kind of businesspeople.)

And the couple will be able to relax a little bit more, knowing that daughter Ashli and her fiancé Seth and, of course, Nesli’s right-hand woman Julie will be supervising the front of the house.

And if you’re paying attention, you may notice son Kaan pitching in practically everywhere. (Though not behind the bar, since he’s still under 21.)