Who Is Habip Kargin? The Chef Bringing Turkish Flavors to Texas
Habip Kargin is a passionate chef born in Mersin, Turkey, who sees food as an art form. With more than 15 years of culinary experience, his cooking style is deeply rooted in Mediterranean and Turkish cuisine. He is especially known for his fresh breads, traditional mezes, pastries, and authentic recipes prepared with high-quality ingredients.
After opening his first restaurant in Mersin in 1999, Habip Kargin moved to the United States to pursue his culinary dreams. In New York City, he worked as a sous chef at the famous Turks & Frogs restaurant. Following this experience, he studied at The Culinary Art School in New York and later rose to the position of Executive Chef at Pierre Loti.
Habip Kargin’s Career
After spending 12 successful years in New York, Habip Kargin moved to Texas and opened Pera Turkish Kitchen in Dallas. The restaurant quickly gained popularity thanks to its fresh ingredients, authentic Turkish flavors, and warm hospitality.
Pera received outstanding customer reviews, including a 4.5-star rating on Yelp. Dallas food critics praised Kargin’s homemade Turkish pide bread and traditional Mediterranean dishes. The restaurant was co-owned with fellow Mersin-born entrepreneur Serdar Sensel, and together they helped introduce authentic Turkish cuisine to the Dallas dining scene.
Selda Mediterranean Grill and Restaurant Expansion
Following the success of Pera, Habip Kargin launched Selda Mediterranean Grill in North Dallas in 2020. The restaurant was named after his wife, Selda.
Despite opening during the COVID-19 pandemic, Selda quickly became one of the most popular Turkish restaurants in the area thanks to its authentic, non-Americanized Turkish cooking style. Within a short period, the Selda Group expanded into one of Texas’s fastest-growing restaurant groups.
Restaurants Owned by Habip Kargin
Today, the Selda restaurant group includes multiple successful concepts across Texas:
- Selda Mediterranean Grill – Dallas, Frisco, and San Antonio
- Mayor’s House by Selda – a historic restaurant concept in Oak Cliff
- Elia Greek Tavern – Greek cuisine in Bishop Arts
- Nice Mezze – Mediterranean cocktail and mezze lounge
- Selda Doner & Gyro – Turkish street-food sandwiches and döner
- Selda Bakery – serving Turkish and French pastries and desserts
These projects now form a large hospitality network stretching from Dallas to San Antonio.
The Secret Behind Selda’s Success: Partnership and Teamwork
One of the key reasons behind the rapid growth of the Selda Group is its unique partnership model. Each restaurant operates with multiple partners, and managers, chefs, and even bartenders are often offered ownership opportunities after training within the company.
Habip Kargin summarizes his philosophy with the following idea:
“We give employees profit-sharing and partnerships, so they treat the business like their own restaurant.”
After experiencing major staffing issues during his earlier Pera years, Kargin learned the importance of building loyalty through shared success. This approach has helped reduce employee turnover while strengthening teamwork and motivation throughout the organization.
Habip Kargin’s Cooking Style
Habip Kargin’s culinary philosophy combines traditional Turkish flavors with modern presentation techniques. His specialties include:
- Mediterranean and Turkish cuisine
- Homemade breads and pastries
- Traditional Turkish mezes
- Fresh farm-to-table ingredients
- Authentic kebabs and regional recipes
His restaurants are especially known for preserving the original taste of Turkish food without heavily Americanizing the dishes.
Quick Facts About Habip Kargin
- Birthplace: Mersin, Turkey
- Profession: Chef and restaurateur
- Cuisine Style: Mediterranean and Turkish cuisine
- Career Highlights:
- Opened his first restaurant in Mersin in 1999
- Worked at Turks & Frogs and Pierre Loti in New York
- Founded Pera Turkish Kitchen in Dallas
- Opened Selda Mediterranean Grill in 2020
- Known For: Expanding authentic Turkish cuisine across Texas
Habip Kargin’s Impact on Turkish Cuisine in America
Habip Kargın has become one of the leading names introducing Turkish and Mediterranean cuisine to Texas. Through his international culinary experience, innovative business model, and commitment to authenticity, he continues to expand the presence of Turkish food culture across the United States.
