Draft:Michael Katz (chef)

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Michael Katz
מיכאל כץ
Headshot of Michael Katz, Israeli chef and educator.
Katz in 2022
Born (1970-01-24) January 24, 1970 (age 55)
Jerusalem, Israel
Occupation(s)Chef, restaurateur, culinary educator
Known forFounder of Attilio culinary school; Mastercook of Belgium; former instructor at Le Cordon Bleu London
Websitehttps://www.attilio.co.il/

Michael Katz (Hebrew: מיכאל כץ; born 24 January 1970) is an Israeli chef and culinary educator. He taught at the London branch of the Le Cordon Bleu cooking school and has served as executive head chef for multiple restaurant groups in Israel. In 2005, he was awarded the title of Mastercook of Belgium by the Mastercooks of Belgium Association.

Katz is the founder of the Attilio culinary school, established after his tenure as director of the Professional Chefs’ Course at Dan Gourmet Culinary Studies in Tel Aviv. The school also runs community programs, including a volunteer cooking center and specialized culinary courses for participants with autism as part of Israel’s “Equal Employment” initiative.

Early life and culinary training

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Michael Katz was born and raised in Jerusalem to Joseph Katz, a professor of theoretical physics, and Ruth Yardeni-Katz, a writer and educator. Following the completion of his military service, he relocated to Brussels, Belgium, to pursue culinary studies.[1][2]

During a five-year period in Belgium, Katz worked at several high-end restaurants, including Michelin-starred establishments such as L'Ecailler du Palais Royal and others.[2][3][4][5]

Return to Israel and early career

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Upon returning to Israel after his time abroad, Michael Katz opened his own restaurant, "Michael Andrew," in Jerusalem with restaurateur Andrew Jacobs, a co-founder of the London-based “Giraffe” restaurant chain.[6][7][8] The establishment, noted in Clarissa Hyman's book The Jewish Kitchen, closed in 2001 due to the Second Intifada.[9][10]

Culinary education and recognition

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In 2004, Katz began teaching at the London branch of the Le Cordon Bleu cooking school, where he worked as a full-time instructor for three years.[11][12] The following year, he was awarded the title of "Mastercook of Belgium" by the Mastercooks of Belgium Association.[13][14] After returning to Israel, Katz opened the restaurant Aluma (Beam) in Jerusalem, which focused on contemporary Israeli cuisine.[15][8][16]

Executive Chef and international work

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After residing in Mexico for three years, Katz returned to Israel in 2009 and assumed the position of executive head chef for the Adom restaurant group.[17][18] The group’s establishments in Jerusalem included Adom, Colony, and Lavan.[19][5][20]

Beginning in October 2013, he served as the head chef of the Trattoria Haba restaurant in Jerusalem, a concept he collaboratively developed with the Haba family.[21][22] The establishment garnered favorable reviews from both Haaretz and The Jerusalem Post.[23][24] Business activity at the restaurant temporarily declined due to the 2014 Gaza conflict.[25][26]

Culinary representation

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Katz also represented the Israel Ministry of Tourism at international events dedicated to promoting tourism to Israel. His participation included appearing at the largest Spanish-language tourism fair held in Madrid, Spain, as well as the four-day Top Resa professional tourism fair in France.[27][28]

Later career and educational initiatives

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Katz's professional focus has transitioned primarily toward culinary education in the latter part of his career. Prior to his departure in October 2021, he held the position of director of the professional chefs’ course at Dan Gourmet Culinary Studies in Tel Aviv.[29][16][30] Following this role, he established Attilio, a culinary school in Or Yehuda, Israel, named in honor of his mentor, Attilio Basso.[31][32][33] The institution provides training for culinary professionals and food enthusiasts, and it also offers a culinary high school program for teenagers aged 14 to 18.[34]

Through Attilio, Katz has led various community and mentoring initiatives. The school has served as a volunteer center, preparing and delivering meals to families throughout Israel.[35] Instructors designed and implemented a specialized AluT course for participants with autism, which is part of Israel's “Equal Employment” initiative aimed at increasing workforce participation among individuals with disabilities.[36][37] Separately, Katz initiated “A Stage for the Young Chef” at his Jerusalem restaurant, Colony, allowing emerging chefs to demonstrate their skills in a six-month series of meals that featured talent from renowned Tel Aviv establishments such as Messa and Bertie.[38][39] Additionally, he launched a nationwide competition to identify Israel’s leading street-food chef.[40] He continues to influence the Israeli food industry through his writing and educational initiatives.[11][34][41]

References

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  1. ^ Rogel, Rani. “Attilio – A Slightly Different Professional Cooking School.” Foodis, 13 July 2023. Accessed 13 Nov. 2025.
  2. ^ a b Cauchi, Stephen (21 May 2011). "Israel's cuisine not always kosher but travelling well". The Sydney Morning Herald.
  3. ^ “Michaël Katz.” The Mastercooks of Belgium, Mastercooks.be, n.d..
  4. ^ Abdou, M., Samahy, N. E., Goldman, J. S., Perlman, L., Rogoff, M. (1999) Israel: The Complete Guide with Biblical Sites, Desert Adventures and Seaside Resorts, Fodor's, Random House Publishing, pp. 75.
  5. ^ a b Aner, Z., Rabin, E. (1999) The Chef's Kitchen, Hed Arzi Publishing House, Or Yehuda, pp. 86-89.
  6. ^ סיטון, רפי (8 February 2001). "ככה לא בונים מסעדה". Globes (in Hebrew).
  7. ^ Joan Nathan, The Foods of Israel Today, New York: AA Knopf, 2001, p. 133.
  8. ^ a b Anon. "רק אלומה" (Only Aluma). Jerusalem Times, 5 May 2016, jerusalemtimes.co.il/אֹכֶל-וּשְׁתִיָּה/רַק-אַלוּמָה-2/.
  9. ^ Clarissa Hyman, The Jewish Kitchen: Recipes and Stories from Around the World, London: Conran Octopus, 2003, p. 35.
  10. ^ Palti, Michal. "It's a War on Fine Food in the Capital." Haaretz, 23 Oct. 2001
  11. ^ a b Katz, Michael, "What Does It Really Mean to be a Chef?", Haaretz, November 22, 2015.
  12. ^ "Reforming US Immigration: A boon to Filipinos". Philippine Star.
  13. ^ Goldstein, Rita. "The Restaurant That Taught the Jerusalemites How to Eat Well", Food Walla, 21 of July, 2014.
  14. ^ Brinn, David. “Dining: A Gourmet Experience.” The Jerusalem Post, 4 May 2016.
  15. ^ Levi, Lin. “The must-see restaurants in Jerusalem.” Ynet, 5 June 2016. Accessed 13 Nov. 2025.
  16. ^ a b Gordon, Buzzy. “New and Noteworthy in Jerusalem: Anna, Aluma and the Garden Terrace.” YnetNews, 25 July 2016. Accessed 13 Nov. 2025.
  17. ^ Srinivasan, Pankaja (2 March 2017). "Take the dip". The Hindu.
  18. ^ Laor, Yael. “The hot trend: Three restaurants opened in hotels.”  Walla! Food. Accessed 12 Nov. 2025.
  19. ^ Aspiras, Reggie. “Israeli Cuisine with Chef Michael Katz.” Philippine Daily Inquirer Lifestyle.
  20. ^ Laor, Yael, and the Mako Editorial Team. “ירושלים מתעוררת: הכירו את מסעדת אלומה החדשה והיוקרתית.” Mako — אוכל, 4 Apr. 2016.
  21. ^ "La finesse des grands restaurants étoilés disponible à Jérusalem". The Times of Israël (in French). 17 August 2015.
  22. ^ Gordon, Buzzy. “From Michelin to Mahane Yehuda Market.” Ynetnews, 17 Aug. 2015.
  23. ^ "The Temptations of ‘Trattoria Haba’ in Jerusalem.” Haaretz, 10 Jan. 2014. Accessed 13 Nov. 2025.
  24. ^ Beloff, Ruth. "Dining: Trattoria Haba." The Jerusalem Post, 15 June 2015.
  25. ^ Wissenshtern, Elkana, and Rina Rozenberg Kandel. “Security Situation Hits Jerusalem Business Hard: ‘Mahane…’.” Haaretz, 14 Nov. 2014.
  26. ^ "Retail Sales Continue to Slide, Especially in Jerusalem.” Haaretz, 21 Oct. 2015. Accessed 13 Nov. 2025.
  27. ^ Chana  Ya'ar. “Jerusalem Chef Serves Up Tourism in Madrid.” Israel National News, 17  Oct  2011. Accessed 12  Nov  2025.
  28. ^ Ben Gedalyahu, Tzvi. “Israeli Chef Cooks Up French Tourism to Israel.” Israel National News, 13 Sept. 2011.
  29. ^ “MasterChef – On the Spectrum.” Shavvim, 13 Jan. 2025, Accessed 13 Nov. 2025.
  30. ^ Ynet, Chefs who are graduates of world-renowned schools are teaching the future generation of culinary arts in Israel - how do you lay the foundation for success? 19 Dec. 2018. Accessed 12 Nov. 2025.
  31. ^ “Food Projects – Yummies.” 13TV, 13tv.co.il. Accessed 13 Nov. 2025.
  32. ^ Israel (2022-08-17). "אטיליו: בית ספר לבישול חדש". WinesIsrael - יין, אלכוהול, קולינריה, שמן זית וטיולים (in Hebrew). Retrieved 2023-01-19.
  33. ^ Leinoff, Audrey Lynn. “Food that bites: How Israeli cuisine has evolved over the past 77 years.” The Jerusalem Post, 1 May 2025.
  34. ^ a b Ekol VeShato Staff. “In September 22, Attilio Will Open: A High-Level Culinary School Led by Chef Michael Katz.” Foodis, 21 Aug. 2022. Accessed 13 Nov. 2025.
  35. ^ Ben-David, Sharon. “Cooking for Those in Need.” Time Out Israel, 15 Oct. 2023.
  36. ^ Shavvim Staff. “Meet the ‘Master Chef’ on the Spectrum.” Shavvim, 13 Jan. 2025.
  37. ^ “Shavim in Employment: A Course for People with Disabilities Returns in a Big Way.” 13TV, 8 Apr. 2024.
  38. ^ “Jerusalem Colony Restaurant Gives a Platform to Young and Promising Chefs.” Foodis, 30 Oct. 2011.
  39. ^ Vered, Ronit. “Winter on the Mount of Olives.” Haaretz, 3 Feb. 2012. Accessed 13 Nov. 2025.
  40. ^ Yummies Staff. “Which Pita Will Win? The Street-Food Cooking Competition Kicks Off.” 13TV, 22 June 2023.
  41. ^ Rothfeld, Steven. Israel Eats. Gibbs Smith, 2016.