What Taste of Israel is about:
Taste of Israel is organized by a group of students representing Stand With Us, a non-profit dedicated to Israel advocacy and education. The goal is to combat extremism, anti-Semitism and promote peace in the Middle East.
Every year, each new batch of student leaders take on a new project to help shape Israel's image abroad. This year, the winning idea was to use food, which readily connects with people all over the world, as the way to introduce Israel. I thought it was a brilliant idea as food not only reflects a culture's past, it also reflects how people view their lives.
My fellow bloggers:
Participants of this 5-day gastronomic adventure were chosen based on the popularity and quality of their blogs and had to have a minimum of 100,000 followers. My fellow bloggers included Carey Jones (NYC) of Serious Eats, Amy Sherman (SF) of cookingwithamy.com, Joelen (Chicago) of whatscookinchicago.com, Paco (Spain) - the Futuro Bloguero of lazyblog.net/ and my comrade, Leslie Tay (Singapore) of ieatishootipost.sg.
Well my newest blog obviously doesn't have 100,000 followers but how about the same amount of friends? (lol) Being both an avid traveller and foodie, I was invited to be part of the group via a serendipitous encounter in the U.S so there! I was to cover the trip from a travel & food angle! :)
I didn't know what to expect since I had no itinerary (Let go, Let flow! is the new mantra) and the closest I've gotten to anything Jewish are the Israeli global villagers I know, 2 Jewish friends and Kosher salt. But whoa, boy was I in for an adventure! :)
The amazing welcome dinner at Liliyot:
I met the other bloggers over a welcome dinner at Liliyot, a unique restaurant that integrates social project into its activities (the first of its kind in Israel). It provides youth at risk/ high school drop-outs with culinary training and offers them the prospect of a career in the food services industry. That's it, that's what business is about - creating value and impacting lives.
The Liliyot Restaurant is owned by the Liliyot Group, a group of entrepreneurs who believe that allowing people to earn their living honorably while learning life skills is the way to create real change. The group also owns Liliyot Bakery and Liliyot Bistro.
This is my first time having a gastronomic adventure of Kosher food and I must say that Liliyot presents the modern Israeli kosher kitchen at its best, with the highest quality ingredients of meat, fresh fish and vegetables and fine olive oil, adorned with beautiful presentation.
The Starters:
Meats & Fish:
Desserts!
The amazing feast coupled with friendly, attentive service with a strong social cause warrants a visit!
Taste of Israel is organized by a group of students representing Stand With Us, a non-profit dedicated to Israel advocacy and education. The goal is to combat extremism, anti-Semitism and promote peace in the Middle East.
Every year, each new batch of student leaders take on a new project to help shape Israel's image abroad. This year, the winning idea was to use food, which readily connects with people all over the world, as the way to introduce Israel. I thought it was a brilliant idea as food not only reflects a culture's past, it also reflects how people view their lives.
6 food bloggers from different parts of the world were invited to Israel to experience their gastronomic adventure of a lifetime!
Top: Taste of Israel student organizers, Bottom: The 6 food bloggers! [From L-R: Paco, Leslie, Carey, Joelen, Me, Amy]
Participants of this 5-day gastronomic adventure were chosen based on the popularity and quality of their blogs and had to have a minimum of 100,000 followers. My fellow bloggers included Carey Jones (NYC) of Serious Eats, Amy Sherman (SF) of cookingwithamy.com, Joelen (Chicago) of whatscookinchicago.com, Paco (Spain) - the Futuro Bloguero of lazyblog.net/ and my comrade, Leslie Tay (Singapore) of ieatishootipost.sg.
Well my newest blog obviously doesn't have 100,000 followers but how about the same amount of friends? (lol) Being both an avid traveller and foodie, I was invited to be part of the group via a serendipitous encounter in the U.S so there! I was to cover the trip from a travel & food angle! :)
I didn't know what to expect since I had no itinerary (Let go, Let flow! is the new mantra) and the closest I've gotten to anything Jewish are the Israeli global villagers I know, 2 Jewish friends and Kosher salt. But whoa, boy was I in for an adventure! :)
The amazing welcome dinner at Liliyot:
I met the other bloggers over a welcome dinner at Liliyot, a unique restaurant that integrates social project into its activities (the first of its kind in Israel). It provides youth at risk/ high school drop-outs with culinary training and offers them the prospect of a career in the food services industry. That's it, that's what business is about - creating value and impacting lives.
The Liliyot Restaurant is owned by the Liliyot Group, a group of entrepreneurs who believe that allowing people to earn their living honorably while learning life skills is the way to create real change. The group also owns Liliyot Bakery and Liliyot Bistro.
[Bottom L-R] 1. Crispy rice “Bird’s nest” with salmon roe and asparagus; 2. Eggplant steak with roasted mushrooms, greens and sweet pea puree
This is my first time having a gastronomic adventure of Kosher food and I must say that Liliyot presents the modern Israeli kosher kitchen at its best, with the highest quality ingredients of meat, fresh fish and vegetables and fine olive oil, adorned with beautiful presentation.
The Starters:
[Clockwise] 1. Veal and leek tortellini in a shitake and beef fumet; 2. Salmon sashimi with cucumber and melon relish, soy pudding and herbs; 3. Sirloin tataki with roasted pumpkin, lemon cream and cucumber-tapioca relish; 4. Chef taking time off to sit with us, talk and gather feedback
Meats & Fish:
[Clockwise] 1. Grilled chicken liver with bananas, vanilla caramel, parsley and rice curls; 2. Salmon sashimi with cucumber and melon relish, soy pudding and herbs; 3. Mediterranean sea bream on red; 4. Grilled rib-eye steak with carrots, asparagus and “butter” potatoes.
Desserts!
[Clockwise] 1. Chocolate, nougat and espresso crunch with bitter chocolate sorbet; 2. Fresh fruit sorbet home made at Liliyot; 3. Italian zabaglione on “forgotten cookie” with seasonal sour fruit
Amazing hospitality
Back at the hotel, I was amazed by the generosity of Taste of Israel's hospitality. I got a suite with fresh fruits, dates, cookies, wine and sparkling water laid out in front of me in the living room just as I entered. This alone would be quite a feast after traveling through the Middle East for the past month!
The suite also enjoyed a panoramic view of the ocean (I love water! - oceans, lakes, streams) and I was instantly reminded of my life back in Santa Monica. I had chosen to live a few blocks from the famous beach to experience the joys from the ocean that I wouldn't be able to get back home.
Naturally, I couldn't resist hitting the beach, walking on the fine sands, soaking in the sun and the fun/ life/ energy that was abound. The broad boardwalk and long beaches really reminded me of Santa Monica, USA where I had spent a few years working. Ahhhhhhhhhh, memories...
Foodprinted on 2 September 2012, Sunday
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