Having completed his high school and university education in tourism and hotel management, Chef Maksut Aşkar started working as a manager at Nupera after graduation. He also developed his creativity and skills at Multi and LilBitz restaurants. Since 2014, he has been the founding chef of his restaurant “Neolokal” in Salt Galata, Istanbul. Neolokal became one of the most prestigious restaurants in the world, receiving 1 star in the Michelin Guide 2023 Istanbul list. Maksut Aşkar also received the Green Michelin Star award for Neolokal Restaurant, which is given to restaurants that have a more sustainable approach to gastronomy and are role models and inspirations for both customers and colleagues. In addition, Neolokal was awarded the title of ‘Best Restaurant of the Year’ and 4 Toques at the Gault&Millau 2024 Türkiye Guide Awards.

Neolokal was also ranked 145th in 2020, 121st in 2021, 106th in 2022 and 93rd in 2023 in Europe’s Best Restaurants list created by OAD. Neolokal was ranked 63rd in The Worlds 50 Best Restaurants awards in 2023. And again in 2023, he was named the 88th best chef of the year by Best Chef Awards. His natural wine bar Foxy also made itself to Michelin Bib Gourmand list and Gault & Millau Best Bars list.

Chef Maksut Aşkar was awarded “Best Chef of the Year” by Time Out Magazine in 2014 and “Le Proche” award at the 10th edition of Omnivore Paris in 2015.