hope for 2024...

new year... new chapter

Less than a week into 2024, I found myself on the front cover of the Jewish Chronicle, hailed a ‘kitchen soldier’ for donning an apron and returning to my catering days to feed the troops in the battlefields, in an article entitled ‘Our food finds, heroes and favourite flavours of 2023’. To be amongst chefs and restaurateurs who are truly inspirational in the Jewish food world, like Andrew Krausz who quit his life as an aviation lawyer to set up a kosher smokehouse for the discerning palate, and Shiri Krauz whose brings the authenticity of Middle Eastern flavours to Camden Town, gave me a positive boost going into the new year.

I have started avidly writing my next book which I am excited to share with you, as it delves into the inherent culture of feeding that is inbred in the Jewish identity. With the help of culinary historians, food writers, legendary Jewish cooks and personal food memories, I will be researching the culinary culture of our heritage and how it fed the extended family in times of hardship, poverty and ritual celebration from the Ashkenazi, Sephardi and Mizrachi communities. I was inspired to write this book from the start of the conflict here in Israel, and from the fundamental and almost assumed way in which the country rose to provide fuel and nourishment to the injured, vulnerable, grief stricken, displaced and in combat, from an essential need in us all… to feed.

I have watched in awe how Cultural Bites has grown since its inception last Spring and I sincerely hope it will blossom further this year with so much more culinary culture from the eclectic Middle Eastern cuisine. Thank you so much for the generosity of my paid readership and the continued support from of you all.

I will continue to post a free edition of my newsletter every 2-3 weeks, however for just £5 a month or £50 for an annual subscription, you will receive a tasty plate of ‘Extra Bites’ containing plenty of interesting morsels and a weekly Friday night dinner recipe to feed family and friends, as you gather round the table, conversing, partaking and supporting one another. I will also be sharing developments on the book and would love to hear of any traditional family recipes that you may have, tucked away in a cookery book or drawer for a kugel, cholent/hamin, chaime or tahdig, or any other delicious dishes from our heritage. Together will full archives of all my posts, we will continue to explore the food culture and its origins of the Middle East and the indigenous bounty of this ancient landscape.

With so much despair in the world currently, and rockets instead of fireworks lighting up the skies of the Judean hills to herald the start of 2024, I find myself not being able to aspire to the usual sentiments of happiness this year, but simply wish for peace, good health and light to shine on us all. I am a strong believer that food should be a cultural and neutral platform for everyone to share, and I can only hope that this year will allow us to sit around tables with platefuls of delicious, diverse flavours, and as we give of our food, we give of our hearts…