Turkish chef and internet sensation CZN Burak . ARCHIVE

Turkish celebrity chef Ozdemir Burak, better known worldwide as CZN Burak, has broken his silence on why he cut all ties with his Dubai-based restaurant. In a statement released on Friday (September 5), the chef accused Dives Holding — which manages the CZN Burak brand abroad — of multiple breaches that, he said, damaged his reputation. “This relationship has become economically, legally, and morally unsustainable from my perspective,” Burak wrote. He alleged “late and incomplete payments,” “persistent breaches of contract,” and “mismanagement of the brand.” Burak emphasized that his personal credibility has been harmed under Dives Holding’s management. “CZN Burak - Chef Burak is not merely a brand; it is a life story built with my body, my labour, my face, my soul, and my sincerity,” he said. He rejected the notion of being just the “face” of the restaurant chain. “I am not, as claimed, the ‘face’ of this brand, I am the brand itself,” he said. The statement comes days after Burak posted a video to his 52 million Instagram followers, clarifying he had no legal or business ties to the Dubai branch. In response, Dives Holding issued its own statement, claiming it holds the “sole and exclusive rights” to the CZN Burak brand outside Turkey. The company said it was responsible for operations, including menu development and international expansion, and credited its strategy with the brand’s global success. The popular CZN Burak restaurant in Downtown Dubai opened in 2021 and has hosted stars such as Dubai Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Khabib Nurmagomedov. Burak himself rose to fame for viral videos of his oversized Turkish and Middle Eastern dishes and charity work feeding people in need. ICA/Expat Media
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