Israeli-born Ottolenghi was born and raised in Jerusalem, although often spent his summers in Italy. In the late 90s, he moved to London to learn French pastry cooking at Le Cordon Bleu. After serving time as a pastry chef, he met Sami Tamimi, another chef who was also raised in Jersualem and, in 2002, they founded the Ottolenghi deli in Notting Hill. The deli was grounded in the presentation of mainly vegetables, with unusual combinations of flavour and ingredients from the Middle East such as pomegranate molasses and za’tar. More delis followed, plus two restaurants and a brasserie. Cookbooks added to the mix, all of which have proved extremely popular – the London Evening Standard quoted of Ottolenghi that he had:
“radically rewritten the way Londoners cook and eat.”
Bon Appetit also stated that he had:
“made the world love vegetables.”
Yotam Ottolenghi: Flavour of Life is appearing at Hamer Hall, 100 St. Kilda Road, Melbourne, VIC, 3994 on 23rd January 2023. Tickets cost from $90.75, with showings at either 3pm or 7pm.