You were born in South Africa but lived in Israel for 20 years. What are your fondest food memories from your time there?
Israeli food was so different to what I’d been brought up on. There was a big focus on salty flavours and fresh produce. Their street food is so healthy and delicious, and rich with spices like za’atar. We’d eat a lot of salads, yoghurt, labneh and goats’ cheese for breakfast, as well as hummus, tahini and falafel, all of which are still staples in my diet.
How has your religion influenced the way you’ve eaten over the years?
Growing up in an ethnic family, food was always central. In the Jewish religion, on Friday nights you bring in the Sabbath – for us it wasn’t so much a religious occasion but more a ritualistic one. My whole upbringing, Friday nights were spent sitting around a table, eating beautiful food and just sharing stories with at least 15 other people. My mother was a marvellous cook, but I can remember her being stressed about what she was going to cook every week.
This story is from the July 2020 edition of Gourmet Traveller.
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This story is from the July 2020 edition of Gourmet Traveller.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
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