Celebrating the Israeli culinary scene, one bite at a time

• Published date: 27 March 2024
• Author: LIAM FORBERG
• Publication title: Jerusalem Post, The: Web Edition Articles (Israel)

The country's collective mindset isn't precisely fit for much celebrating, let alone for celebrations surrounding food, when there are still hostages not receiving any in Gaza

It is, however, a necessity for many people to resume a semblance of sanity in life, and it's within this framework that the 3rd Israeli Cuisine Festival, sponsored by American Express, tries to bring comfort to people, especially with this year's topic: home.

Running from March 27 until April 12, the festival will have dozens of events all over the country, with some of Israel's most successful chefs taking part.

Twenty of Israel's best restaurants will open their kitchens and implement innovative menus, showcasing their interpretations of "home" – from Eastern Europe, to North Africa, and all the way back to the land of Israel.

Renowned restaurants included

The list is packed with gastronomic giants, ranging from Jerusalem's Satya, Jacko Street, and Machneyuda Group's vegan Tzemach, to Tel Aviv's Mashya, the Norman Hotel's Alena, and newcomer Treysar, and Haifa's Talpiot and Beito.

Many culinary personalities and content creators will open their own front doors to host intimate encounters, revealing their pantry secrets.

We can also expect a pop-up of Eilat's MAMO restaurant that's been closed since October 7 and eight different personal tasting and discussion encounters with restauranteer extraordinaire Yossi Shitrit, labeled "Secrets of Israeli Umami." There will also be foodie tours with market experts, ranging from HaCarmel market with Adeena Sussman, to Mahane Yehuda with Tali Friedman, and in Haifa, Jaffa, Acre and Bnei Brak – and even a foraging tour in the Jerusalem mountains.

All of this precedes an April 14 award ceremony for excellence in the Israeli restaurant and culinary industry, to be held at the Tel Aviv Museum for candidates in about 20 different categories.

The festival is the brainchild of three entrepreneurs: Nirit Weiss, a creative and business expert, who founded FARM 54, a brand and talent promoting company; David Kichka, a former restaurateur, lecturer, expert and content creator on culinary tourism; and Gretel Shiner, member of the board of directors of the Israeli Association for Culinary Culture, and founder and director of Unicas...