Eyal Shani
Shmoné
Eyal Shani, born in Jerusalem in 1959, is one of the most influential figures in the Israeli culinary world. A self-taught cook with a poetic approach to food, Shani draws inspiration from the region’s ingredients and his grandfather—a vegan agronomist—who introduced him to the flavors of local markets, fields, and vineyards at a young age.
... READ MOREEyal Shani, born in Jerusalem in 1959, is one of the most influential figures in the Israeli culinary world. A self-taught cook with a poetic approach to food, Shani draws inspiration from the region’s ingredients and his grandfather—a vegan agronomist—who introduced him to the flavors of local markets, fields, and vineyards at a young age.
He launched his culinary career in 1989 with Oceanus in Jerusalem, developing a signature style rooted in olive oil, tahini, fresh vegetables, and his now-iconic tomato. In 2008, together with longtime partner Shahar Segal, he opened HaSalon in Tel Aviv, a wildly original dining experience that helped redefine Israeli fine dining and continues its expansion across the globe.
Today, Michelin-starred chef Shani leads over 50 restaurants worldwide, including Miznon, HaSalon, Malka, Port Said, and more. His restaurant group has its footprint in cities including New York, Miami, Los Angeles, London, Paris, Melbourne, Vienna, Singapore – and beyond.
Known for transforming humble ingredients into elevated dishes, Shani continues to shape the way people think about Middle Eastern food. He has also become a familiar face on Israeli television, starring in the cult food show Food for Thought and serving as a judge on MasterChef Israel for eleven seasons.
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