Update: Since receiving rave reviews for their pop-up lamb roasts, Chef Berk and Katrina of Hamdi opened a sleek bricks and mortar restaurant in Frelard last November. But this month Hamdi is returning to its roots and hosting a whole lamb roast on Sunday, July 30. You can find details and reserve here.

See you there!

Hamdi Embraces Food and Community with Whole Lamb Roast Pop-Up

^{Originally posted January, 22, 2022}

Memories mean a lot to Chef Berk Güldal. Especially when they involve family and friends gathering around food.

Looking to reignite some of those memories around community and food we all have, Güldal (formerly of Café Boulud and EMP) along with his partner Katrina Schult, will be preparing and roasting a whole lamb for their Hamdi pop-up Sunday, January 30.

“There’s a whole history behind them, where families and friends would get together,” Güldal fondly recalled from his time growing up in Turkey. “With full respect to the animal, they calm it gently while praying over it for what it is giving to them.” In Turkey, everyone had a hand in preparing the lamb before the roast. “It is a very old school tradition,” shared Güldal.  

The animal is then rested for 4-5 days to release the tightness on the muscles. During that time everyone is preparing all the mezzes and veggie dishes. 

We unfortunately will not be able to help Güldal and Schult prep the lamb during the multi-day preparation, but we will all be able to come together and enjoy the meal and the sense of community. And that’s really the point.

Hamdi pop-up

As the lamb roasts, Güldal and Schult will be brushing it with fresh thyme dipped in the juices(fat) that collect while it’s slowly cooking.  And, they’ll be serving the lamb wrapped in their freshly baked lavas with pepper, tomato, onion salad and that lovely thyme that they brought back from a recent trip to Turkey.

Hamdi’s Whole Lamb Roast takes place January 30 at Fair Isle Brewing and is $25. The lamb will be cooked and ready to serve at 12:30 and is slated to last until 7:30. They’ll also have their regular menu. That said, Hamdi’s pop-ups are wildly popular and have been known to sell out in just a couple of hours.

So grab your friends and/or family and plan accordingly.