“This dream is a sum of over 25 years of thinking about how we can create a center of culinary excellence in Israel and attract talent worldwide.”

Last month we heard from Jewish National Fund USA's CEO Russell Robinson and his side on why he wanted to work with you.

What about your side? Why did you choose the Jewish National Fund as a Partner?

I could not think of a better partner for this important adventure. We both share this passion and belief that we have to bring to life to the Upper Eastern Galilee and, in this case, through food. JNF is doing so much already in the region, and the GCI is one more vital factor in bringing new families and opportunities and creating jobs, education, and employment.

Thanks to JNF and the fantastic donors around the US, we can build the GCI and spread the message that this will become the culinary capital of the world.

I heard that this has always been a dream of yours. What is so special about this dream?

I left Israel in 1997 to pursue my culinary studies in France. Since the first day of school there, it bothered me that there is no such facility in Israel. Many people can not afford financially or logistically to study abroad. Over the years, I also realized how big a role Israel is now playing in the culinary world. This dream is a sum of over 25 years of thinking about how we can create a center of culinary excellence in Israel and attract talent worldwide.

We want to give our students and graduates the best tools to be successful on their culinary path.

What do you think will be the most significant contribution the GCI has on the local community?

GCI will help create jobs, housing opportunities, and new businesses and attract so many talented people and their families to move up north. It will also act as a culinary community center bringing local residents, businesses, and others from around the country and the world. Through food, agriculture, science, and technology, we can create one conversation that will impact the local community in the best possible way.

How will the GCI be unique compared to other culinary institutions?

We are not trying to be unique for the sake of being different. We believe at GCI that the new culinary world goes beyond the kitchen and starts in the field. What makes us unique is that we look at each step of the culinary journey as an event in itself. Whether it is sanitation and recycling or social media and marketing, we bring it all into our curriculum. Our students will be exposed to all this and more and will get basic and advanced tools to choose the right culinary path for them and have a better chance of succeeding in it.

What's a fun culinary fact about you?

I do not like melon and persimmon! I have a serious ice cream problem, but I am working on it.