Being Israeli born but Brooklyn raised never allowed me to enjoy and grow up with real Israeli food. So, my parents and grandparents really only ever cooked with middle eastern and eastern European spices. As kids, my siblings and I were very picky eaters. We loved American food. SO eventually my parents and grandparents decided to make those foods using the spices that were indigenous to their homeland. It was the only way to get us to eat. Keshet’s menu is literally the foods we grew up eating as kids. That was the only way my family could show us Israel from a culinary point of view. Of course, they would make authentic dishes but I was more interested in Mac N’ Cheese and Fried Chicken. 

 

 

Well, let me say this. everyone gets cast for different reasons. I don’t know what mine was, but I knew I had a goal set in mind if I got on the show and that was to learn as much as I could from 2 brilliant chefs. because growing up I never wanted to have anything to do with the culinary industry because my family was in it for 50+ years. So I didn’t think of myself as much of a cook. I never really made anything harder than a boxed mac n cheese or instant mashed potatoes. But, I do remember doctoring them up a little. I don’t think that really made me a “worst cook” but it definitely made me a lazy and messy one, So when I got on the show, I realized I wasn’t as bad as I thought I was. At some points, I actually thought I didn’t belong there. Yes, I did start lots of fires in my day, I’ve made a lot of cleaning ladies quit just because of the messes I would leave in the kitchen. I’ve probably had half a dozen small pieces of equipment explode on me, but that’s part of the learning process right? Oh and let’s not forget, I did win Food Networks The Great Food Truck Race the following year.

 

 

I’ve visited Philadelphia many times in the past 15 years (because that is the only place I could get a good cheesesteak). Also, Abraham, my better half, was planning on attending PT school in Philadelphia. But, that went on hold because of Covid.  So, we just decided to move out here early and meet friends. Unfortunately, that’s been really hard to do with the pandemic, although we did meet some awesome neighbors. We decided to open Keshet Kitchen so we can meet friends and create our own little family within our community. 

 

 

Stress? Alongside? Abe takes care of the front of the house and I take care of the back ;). Plus, who doesn’t like an alignment and a backrub during shifts? Also, we can get each other off early. 

 

 

Well, Keshet Kitchen will take you on a tour of my life being an Israeli growing up in America. These are the dishes that I grew up eating as a child. A lot of the recipes were my grandfather’s recipes. Of course, I put a little of myself into it. but, these are the dishes that would always put a smile on my face.