The Search for Israeli Cuisine

Exploring the 70+ diverse cultures of Israel through food

A Two-Hour Film
National PBS Broadcast
by Roger Sherman

“It’s important for Americans to realize that regardless of what you see on TV,
regardless of your political stance, Israeli cuisine reflects humanity at its best.
Sometimes the easiest way for people to relate to a country is through its food and culture.”
—Michael Solomonov, American-Israeli chef of the acclaimed Zahav in Philadelphia

 

It may be surprising to learn that a major culinary revolution is taking place in a country so frequently associated with political drama. In just thirty years, Israel has gone from having no fine food to call its own to a cuisine that is world-renowned. I went to Israel for the first time just four years ago; it wasn’t even on my top 10 list before then, I wanted to go to Paris. In 2013 we filmed at over 100 locations all over Israel. We just completed a successful Kickstarter campaign so we can finally edit. The film should be completed by the end of October. Since that first trip, my feelings about Israel have certainly changed. Actually, I realized that I’d never thought much about the Israeli people. It became clear that most people I meet don’t know much about the Israeli people either, and they’re surprised at what I reveal.

Like many, hummus and falafel were all I knew about Israeli Cuisine. I discovered a vibrant restaurant scene in Tel Aviv that rivals New York, San Francisco, London and, yes, Paris. And, more and more of Jerusalem’s restaurants, once thought stuffy, are must-experience destinations. I tasted wines from some of the 350 boutique wineries gaining international acclaim. I savored distinctive cheeses that you’d find in France or Italy. And, I found remarkable food traditions as diverse as Moroccan, Persian, and Lebanese, French, Italian, and Russian, in the most cutting-edge restaurants – Jewish, Arabs, Palestinians, Christian, and Druze – kosher and non-kosher, secular and religious. I learned that home cooks are preserving their grandmothers’ recipes and dynamic chefs are updating them.

I decided that by making a portrait of the Israeli people told through food, viewers could better understand them. And, since eating well is so important for so many, and food tourism has become a major industry worldwide, it didn’t take long to realize this was a great topic for a documentary with huge audience appeal.

Isreali Cuisine Photo-Collage

Our chef/guide is Michael Solomonov, a James Beard Award winning chef and co-owner of acclaimed Zahav in Philadelphia. Mike was born in Israel and grew up in Pittsburgh. He’s lived in Israel and travels there frequently. Our cameras followed him as he discussed traditions, ingredients, the origins, and the future of Israeli Cuisine.

I, too, have won a James Beard award; it was for The Restaurateur, a portrait of Danny Meyer. My other work has been honored with an Emmy, a Peabody, and two Academy Award nominations. My film Alexander Calder, an American Masters special, was called “an American masterpiece” by Charlie Rose. The Wall Street Journal said Richard Rodgers: The Sweetest Sounds “was perhaps the best film ever produced in the American Masters series.”

 

Our successful Kickstarter campaign that ended on April 5th, will get us into the editing room.
We’re still raising money for music and archival film and photo rights, nationwide screenings, PBS distribution, and promotion.
You can get us to the finish line. 
Thank you!  Let’s keep in touch, Roger Sherman

food at Abraxas North, owned by Ayel Shani

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From: http://israelicuisinefilm.com/

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