EL AL | Atmosphere

Lifestyle I Food

srael Photos: Netanel I

ela Photos: Assaf Kar

Michal Epstein Hemo | Eats, Schmearz

Chen Weiss | Rutenberg Born and bred in Kibbutz Afikim, chef Chen Weiss (37) began working at the kibbutz dairy as a teen before eventually managing it for a while before going on to work in the kitchens of the Jerusalem eatery “Chakra”. She moved to Berlin when the pandemic broke out, where she deepened her culinary knowledge, working as sous-chef at Michelin-starred restaurant “Prism”. Back in Israel, Weiss joined the team at Rutenberg, a culinary hotspot in the beautiful region of Emek HaMaayanot where local produce takes center stage. A year ago, following the passing of the restaurant’s head chef Izhar Sahar, Weiss was appointed in his place, and has been deepening the partner, with whom she founded the first branch of “Eats” in 2017, a neighborhood deli-café that offers a delicious array of cookies, cakes, salads, and sandwiches inspired by her love for American food. A second “Eats” café opened two years later. Like many women, chef Michal Epstein Hemo (44), winner of reality tv show “Game of Chefs”, balances a demanding career with a not-less demanding family life. She shares three children with her longtime partner Adva, who is also her business

“Schmearz” is the couple’s most recent venture, an American-style diner dedicated entirely to bagels, the timeless Jewish-American bread roll. The menu includes an infinite variety of tantalizing fillings and toppings, including home-made cured and smoked fish, homemade egg salad, whitefish, deli meats, cream cheese, and more, bringing authentic New York vibes and flavors to the heart of Tel Aviv. eatscafeteria.com, schmeartz_bagels

Ithiela Hyatt | Ithiela’s Truck Winner of reality tv show “Game of Chefs”, Ithiela Hyatt (36) is at the helm of “Ithiela’s Truck”, a boutique food truck and bakery in Moshav Mata that proudly celebrates local produce, including the fresh herbs and edible flowers she grows at the nursery Hyatt founded with her life partner. In a small locale nestled in the heart of the Jerusalem foothills, Hyatt transforms fresh produce into delightful dishes, pastries, and baked goods of every kind, with expert craftsmanship and seemingly effortless simplicity, reflecting a vibrant and seasonal culinary style. Open on Thursdays and Fridays, “Ithiela’s Truck” draws in foodies and travelers from all over the country, quickly becoming a veritable community hub, where the connection to land and culinary creativity is celebrated, encouraged, and championed. ithiela_truck

Photos: Afik Gabay

צילומים: אפיק גבאי

restaurant’s connection to regional produce and agriculture ever since, impressively reflecting the passion and creativity of the new generation of female chefs. rutenberg.co.il

32 ATMOSPHERE MARCH 2026