Başak Subaşı (23), who started working as a vegan in a butcher shop in ANKARA, began consuming some animal products as her perspective changed over time. Başak Subaşı said, "My biggest goal is to train female apprentices and establish a business predominantly run by women."
Başak Subaşı began working as a cashier at a butcher shop during her university entrance exam preparation, guided by her family. Unable to get into her targeted dental prosthetics department, Subaşı enrolled in the Butchery Department of the Food and Beverage Services field at Gazi Vocational Training Center. During her internship, Subaşı started learning the profession by working behind the counter. Subaşı, who received her master's certificate in July 2023, has been working as a master instructor since February 2024. Subaşı, who once adopted a vegan lifestyle and did not consume meat or animal products, stated that her perspective on the matter changed after she started learning the butchery profession, and over time, she began consuming some animal products again.
Subaşı stated that she dreamed of buying a motorcycle while preparing for university, adding, "When I told my father about it, he directed me to the butcher shop in our neighborhood. I first started working as a cashier. I took the university entrance exam but missed my desired department by 3 points. I didn't want to do this job. Since everyone in my family had a university education, the thought 'I also need to get an education' formed. Afterwards, I decided to return to vocational high school and started interning again for butchery. Later, I decided to learn butchery as a profession. As I spent more time behind the counter, I realized I loved this job. I always enjoyed professions that required manual dexterity. Butchery became a profession that made me happy."
Subaşı stated that she experienced some difficulties as a woman in the butchery sector, saying, "Initially, many masters didn't want to teach me the trade. So, I developed myself by observing them, researching, and utilizing videos on the internet. Before starting this profession, I was vegan. I avoided meat and animal products. This changed after I started working. Kurban Bayramı (Eid al-Adha) used to be very difficult for me. I would be bothered by the smell of meat and wouldn't consume any animal products. At work, I initially started overcoming this process with eggs. Over time, my friends first let me taste eggs, then meat. My prejudices broke down considerably as I got into the work. I currently consume meat; however, I still prefer not to eat offal. Despite this, preparing it is part of my job. I am happy with this situation."
Subaşı said that customers were initially surprised by her being a female butcher, stating, "Customers usually ask, 'Where is your master?' And they are surprised when I tell them I am the master. Some are very supportive, while others react by saying, 'Why are you doing this job? You're so beautiful, why are you here?' I picked up my first knife in 2022. Since then, I've been collecting knives. I want to display them when I open my own butcher shop in the future. My biggest goal is to train female apprentices and establish a business predominantly run by women."