“I prepared an in-depth article about the organization, and that same year, they received a special award from the UN. They were named the best non-profit organization of 2018. “

Born in Tel Aviv, and raised in Herzliya, Israeli Journalist Elad Massuri has been combining his passion for nature, culture, and his experience in over 35 countries in every piece he writes. His journey started at Tel Aviv University's Koteret School of Journalism. He wrote about nature, culture, and world travel for the Israeli magazine "Nature of Things. With over 15 years of journalism experience, Elad's work has been featured in publications like Shavua Israeli, Hebrew News USA, and Jewish Life OC.

As a journalist by profession and a storyteller by nature- Where and when did you have a life-changing storytelling experience? 

My journalism has led me to many countries around the world. For example, in 2017 I flew with the humanitarian organization “Save a Child's Heart” to follow their activities in Tanzania. Tanzania is home to nearly 60 million people and had only four qualified cardiologists. The organization sends special delegations of doctors from Israel to perform life-saving surgeries for children in Tanzania.

In addition, the Israeli staff trains local doctors and nurses and delivers them advanced medical equipment. During my visit, I went into the operating rooms and interviewed the Israeli doctors and the local hospital staff.  I went to the local villages to talk to children who had life-threatening heart diseases. The organization saved their lives; today, they are functioning children and have returned to normal life. Living in Africa gave me so much, as I realized the importance of journalistic work and my role as a storyteller. I prepared an in-depth article about the organization, and that same year, they received a special award from the UN. They were named the best non-profit organization of 2018. 

Storytelling is one of the GCI’s pillars and a central theme in our flagship programs curriculum- What advice would you give to the culinary students at GCIs Rosenfield School of Culinary Arts in the context of storytelling? 

Be authentic; bring yourself to every story. Of course, you have to have an exciting story, but how you tell it is no less important than the story itself.  Once you tell a story from a thought-provoking angle and in a way that reflects you, the audience connects to you even more. Just like in a restaurant,  food is essential, but how it is served is just as important. 

Can you share a meaningful experience that you recently experienced around food? 

A few months ago, an Israeli-Jewish journalist and I, met a French chef who had emigrated to California and a Muslim chef from Morocco at her home in Los Angeles. We cooked French and Moroccan food together with Israeli touches and I interviewed both of them. We did not talk about politics, wars, or racism for a few hours. Instead, the smells and tastes filled the room and our hearts. This is the power of culinary. 

 How do you relate to the GCI vision and what they are trying to do with the way culinary arts are taught? 

GCI's vision to build a bridge between all lovers of culinary across the globe and bring together all types of people to Israel to learn and experience the art of culinary is directly connected with the articles I publish on food. I believe that food has the power to connect people from different backgrounds, religions, and cultures. 

  What's a fun culinary fact about you? 

I have eaten and written about food in more than 30 countries; I have met chefs,  been to countless restaurants, and eaten incredible cuisines. But when I am asked what my favorite restaurant or food is, I get confused and do not know what to answer. The truth is, maybe I'm just ashamed to say that there's nothing like a good slice of pizza at the end of the day.