The esteemed Israeli chef, Ohad Amzallag, announced today (Thursday) in a post on his Instagram page that he has decided to make his restaurant Gefen in Paris, France, kosher as early as this December. His statement implies that he made the decision against the backdrop of an iron sword war and the recent increasing manifestations of anti-Semitism around the world.
"A few months ago I opened Geffen in Paris, a gastronomic restaurant that deals with food from the sea and fermentation," Amzallag wrote in his post, adding: "The reviews are glowing, the Michelin Guide has already sent an email requesting that we send materials for entry to the guide. (Something I've dreamed of my whole career), but my dreams for my people are bigger than any guide, any criticism."
View this post on Instagram
Shared post by Ohad Amzallag (@ohad_amzalleg )
Amzallag explained the decision and concluded: "Did you mark Jewish homes in Paris with a Star of David as something shameful? I mark Geffen with a Star of David with pride! The people of eternity are not afraid, the people of Israel are alive!" He also noted that in the first stage, the restaurant will not hold a kosher certificate until the end of the procedure involved.
By the time he opened his own restaurant, Gefen, which he opened a few months ago, Amzallag had come a long way in the culinary field. He is remembered from the "Berbatov" restaurant in Hod Hasharon and has an impressive resume of restaurants where he worked, including "Makom Belev" in Ra'anana and "District 5" in Jerusalem. He arrived in Paris just before he was about to become a chef at Chef Haim Cohen's Jaffa-Tel Aviv restaurant. A surprising offer from overseas caused him to leave life in Israel and become the chef of the "Shuk" restaurant in the French capital, which also won acclaim.
Chef Ohad Amzallag, Photo: Assaf Carla
???
Wrong? We'll fix it! If you find a mistake in the article, please share with us