A Sweet Escape

A crowd mingles over craft cocktails and canapés at the Sanasaryan Han, a Luxury Collection hotel in Istanbul, moving between the upbeat interior of the sleek restaurant Sini and its open-air terrace as rain gently falls. In the middle of the room, two dessert tables draw partygoers in—like bees to a flower, they gather around a decadent, domed cake infused with cherry and fig filling.

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At the center of it all is Laila Gohar. The chef and artist behind the cakes holds court in a knit polo layered over a button-down shirt, and a structured skirt by the Istanbul-based brand Nackiyé paired with knee-high socks and platform Mary Janes. Three-dimensional Sanrio characters charm on her nails as she mingles with the crowd, passes plates, and poses for photos.

The cakes at the heart of the celebration were mirror images of a candle designed by Gohar for the hotel that captures the distinct character of the city with a pear-green dome with geometric molding reminiscent of Byzantine and Ottoman architecture, delicate piping, and a cherry on top. The cake-candle is part of a limited edition series Gohar created for The Luxury Collection’s Global Explorer program, an initiative that spotlights the cultural heritage of its hotel destinations through sensory experiences. In April 2023 the chef was named the first epicurean Global Explorer, marking the beginning of their collaboration with a barware line inspired by fading craft traditions. 

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For this occasion, The Luxury Collection and Gohar hosted a weekend at the Sanasaryan Han—a reconstructed Neoclassical building originally built in 1895. It is a tranquil respite situated in the heart of Istanbul’s fast-paced Old Town district, just steps from the Spice Bazaar and near iconic landmarks such as the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, and Karaköy. “I come to the city a number of times a year,” says Gohar, whose mother is half Turkish and lives in Istanbul.

According to the artist-chef, Istanbul’s architecture was an easy starting point when conceptualizing. She points out the Zeyrek Çinili Hamam, a 500-year-old Turkish bathhouse with a storied history. “You literally come out of the hamam feeling like a newborn. I try to go soon after landing to help overcome jet lag,” she says of the centuries-old local tradition. 

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At the event, Gohar’s playful touch is everywhere: the pastel-colored confections arranged on top of dense, black marble tables. Delicate Gohar World lace coasters adorned with freshwater pearls sitting beneath each plate. A dramatic overhead spotlight. Throughout the evening, guests aim iPhones at the display, the surroundings, and each other. 

“You can honestly provide the best food and drink, but if the location is dull, you're going to have an uphill battle,” explains Gohar, who is known for presenting food in unconventional, non-food spaces. She notes architecture, high ceilings, and good lighting as markers for a Gohar-approved setting. Check those boxes, and “you've got a canvas to build on,” she says.

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When The Luxury Collection debuted its barware line at Prince de Galles hotel during Paris Fashion Week, Gohar showcased a 10-foot coconut cake with pistachio buttercream alongside candle replicas. The concept resonated so strongly, it was expanded to the six global destinations. Since then she has made candles for The Luxury Collection’s properties in Nashville, Savannah, Prague, Tokyo, Madrid, and Istanbul, all paired with edible counterparts. These bespoke confections are crafted by Gohar in collaboration with the participating hotel’s pastry chefs, reflecting the flavors of their respective destinations. For example, sakura and matcha for Tokyo, peaches for Savannah, and chocolate and whiskey for Nashville. For Turkey’s biggest city, Gohar chose a flavor palette close to home: “The smell of fig trees, in particular, evokes strong memories of my time in Istanbul as a child,” she reflects.

The candles are now available through Gohar World with matching desserts offered at the participating hotels for a limited time. “The desserts are designed to be beautiful, but ultimately they have to be delicious,” she emphasizes. This collaboration, blending food, artistry, and cultural heritage, both showcases her avant-garde sensibilities on everyday objects and embodies The Luxury Collection’s dedication to curated epicurean experiences. 

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No matter what project she takes on, Gohar approaches design with a keen eye and a cheeky wink. In the past year, she created a Surrealist Manifesto-inspired room covered in Belgian chocolate at Sotheby’s and a blanket constructed out of a patchwork bread for an exhibition at MoMu, the Antwerp fashion museum. Then there is Gohar World, her eponymous tableware brand started with her sister Nadia Gohar, featuring objects like Battenberg lace bottle aprons and bonbon stands decorated with trompe l'oeil bugs. “My camera roll works as a scrapbook, full of things I encounter in daily life,” she says of her varied inspiration, “any one of which might later spark an idea.”

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Laila Gohar x The Luxury Collection is available to shop online.