The Israeli Association for Culinary Culture sent an official letter Saturday evening on behalf of quite a few chefs and culinary professionals, demanding that the 50best organization, which is responsible for the list of the 50 best restaurants in the world and other lists, including Africa and the Middle East, which also includes Israeli restaurants, condemn the terrible massacres of October 7 and take action against senior chefs on the list who published anti-Israeli and inciting content.
David Kichka, Photo: Avishag Sha'ar-Yashuv
"This is a struggle that we have been waging more or less since the war began," David Kichka, chairman of the association, tells Israel Hayom. "Now we have decided to take it a step further with the official letter and with a petition, which we hope will reach as many Israelis as possible."
The association's letter to the organization stated, among other things, that "culinary is a bridge to bringing cultures closer together, and it is unacceptable to provide a platform through it for supporters of murder, rape and abduction of innocent people, babies, children, youth, women and the elderly."
The letter sent,
The organization's initiative follows a number of posts by famous, decorated and award-winning chefs who praised Hamas' action in one way or another and posted anti-Israel content. Of particular note is Palestinian chef Salam Daqaq, who heads the Beit Miriam restaurant and was voted the best chef last year on the Middle East and Africa's 50best list. She teamed up with another famous restaurant of the Orfali brothers, who are ranked first on the same list, for a chef's dinner whose entire proceeds will go to Gaza.
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On the same list where the Syrian brothers and chef Dacak rank very highly, there are also quite a few famous Israeli chef restaurants such as George and John, OCD, Milgo and Malabar and more, and yet, the organization has not yet issued any announcement about the events.
"We're not asking for support in the conflict or even taking sides," Kishka continues. "It's okay to express an opinion, but anyone who calls Hamas freedom fighters can't be our friend and that says everything about him. The organization should condemn this - this is their outstanding chef in the Middle East. There are quite a few Israelis who are also part of this list – is this the treatment they deserve?"
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