The top of the food world.
Fifty Best ceremony (photo: Walla! system, Yaniv Granot)
Israeli footprint.
Fifty Best ceremony (photo: Walla! system, Yaniv Granot)
Exactly one year since it first entered the 50 Best ranking under the auspices of San Pellegrino, the world of Israeli food establishes its presence on the prestigious list, weaves in returning and new representatives, and transmits inward - and outward, to the entire world - energy, vitality and signs of life.
The festive ceremony, which glorifies the MENA (Middle East and North Africa) region - took place this evening (Monday) at the Conrad Hotel in Abu Dhabi, and included happy blue and white banners in the form of Tomer Tal's "George and John" restaurant, "OCD" restaurant Led by Raz Rahab, Yuval Ben Naria's "a" restaurant, Hillel Tavkoli's "Animar" restaurant, Moti Timan's "Malgo and Malbar" restaurant, as well as the "Habsta" restaurant led by Ilon Amir.
The approved restaurants (and completely Tel Aviv, a matter that requires a little attention next year) of course join the early Israeli celebration of the OPA restaurant led by Shiral Berger, which won the great "One To Watch" award a few weeks ago.
Israeli celebration.
Berger (back right), Tavakoli, Tal and Amir.
Ben Naria (front right), Titman and Rahav at the ceremony (Photo: San Pellegrino)
Berger and OPA led by her won the coveted award - a kind of prestigious and global hybrid between "Promise of the Year" and "Breakthrough of the Year" and "Rising Star of the Year", in a free and loose translation - before the ceremony, and the chef herself went on stage free from the tension of ratings and numbers.
"She has created a one-of-a-kind space," described William Drew, 50 Best's content manager, during the announcement, "from the moment you enter through the restaurant's doors, she invites guests to immerse themselves in the world of vegetables and embark on a sensual and delightful culinary journey, and at the same time helps educate the world about the importance of consumption sustainable".
Berger herself reacted with excitement, expressed pride in her team, and explained that "OPA works and creates and influences culinary in Israel and around the world, and we are all happy that the honest and true agenda for which we gathered - the empowerment and glorification of the kingdom of plants and mushrooms in the world of haute cuisine - won us the award."
Israeli flavor bomb
Shiral Berger and OPA were named "One To Watch" by 50 Best
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A blue-white achievement.
Tal (left) and Avi Zak before the ceremony (Photo: San Pellegrino)
Last year, the restaurant ranking surveyed for the first time fifty outstanding food destinations from 19 countries in the Middle East and Africa, including Morocco, Iran, Oman and Israel.
It reflects the best restaurant experiences collected from 250 voters - anonymous culinary experts from around the region.
At the same event, six Israeli restaurants were selected for the prestigious list - Melgo and Melber led by Moti Titman, Pescado in Ashdod by Yehi Zino, Animar by Hillel Tavkoli, the Basta in the Carmel Market, George and John by Tomer Tal and OCD by Raz Rahab, which reached to the third place.
"When we got to the last ten," Rahav said after the ceremony, "I started crying from excitement. It's not just getting into the list of the fifty best restaurants. It's getting into the top ten."
A culinary journey.
Berger (Photo: Tomer Halperin)
About a month ago, Salem Dekak was crowned the best chef in the region.
Dekak, a Palestinian born in Jordan, is the chef and owner of the successful Bait Maryam restaurant in Dubai.
From her kitchen, it was explained in the announcement announcing her win, she manages to preserve traditional foods and authentic cooking methods, and recreate the real flavors of the Levant that she grew up with as a child in Jordan.
"Her sense of obligation to preserve the essence of each dish leads her to find raw materials from different places in the region, to emphasize quality produce and unique spices and above all, to prepare food with love," he described.
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Abu Dhabi
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