Yotam Ottolenghi facts for kids
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| Born | Yotam Assaf Ottolenghi 14 December 1968 Jerusalem |
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| Cooking style | Middle Eastern |
| Education | Tel Aviv University (Adi Lautman Interdisciplinary Programme for Outstanding Students) Le Cordon Bleu |
| Spouse |
Karl Allen
(m. 2012) |
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Current restaurant(s)
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Previous restaurant(s)
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Television show(s)
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Award(s) won
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Yotam Assaf Ottolenghi (Hebrew: יותם אוטולנגי) is a famous chef, restaurant owner, and food writer. He was born in Jerusalem on December 14, 1968. Yotam Ottolenghi is known for his delicious recipes and popular cookbooks. He owns several restaurants and delis in London and Bicester Village. He often works with chef Sami Tamimi.
Contents
About Yotam Ottolenghi
Early Life and Education
Yotam Ottolenghi grew up in Jerusalem. His father was a chemistry professor. His mother was a high school principal. He spent many summers in Italy as a child. This might have influenced his love for food.
In 1989, Yotam joined the Israel Defence Forces. He served for three years. After that, he went to Tel Aviv University. He studied literature and finished his degree in 1997. He also worked as a copy editor for a newspaper.
In 1997, Yotam moved to Amsterdam. He worked for a Dutch-Jewish newspaper there. Later, he moved to London. He decided to study French pastry cooking at Le Cordon Bleu. This was a big step towards his cooking career.
Family Life
Yotam Ottolenghi met his partner, Karl Allen, in 2000. They got married in 2012. They live in Camden, London. They have two sons, who were born in 2013 and 2015.
Becoming a Chef
Starting in London's Kitchens
After studying, Yotam Ottolenghi worked as a pastry chef. He worked in several well-known London restaurants. These included The Capital Restaurant and Kensington Place.
In 1999, he became the head pastry chef at Baker and Spice. This is where he met Sami Tamimi. Sami was a Palestinian chef. They both grew up in Jerusalem. They quickly became friends because they shared a language, Hebrew. They also shared a similar view on traditional English food.
Opening Ottolenghi Delis
In 2002, Yotam and Sami opened their first deli. It was called Ottolenghi. It was in the Notting Hill area of London. The deli became very popular. People loved its unique dishes. These dishes often used lots of vegetables. They also had interesting flavor combinations. Many recipes used Middle Eastern ingredients. These included rose water, za'atar, and pomegranate molasses.
Yotam Ottolenghi once said he wants "drama in the mouth" with his food. This means he wants exciting and surprising flavors. The Ottolenghi brand has grown a lot since then. They now have several delis and restaurants. These include NOPI in Soho and ROVI in Fitzrovia.
Writing for The Guardian
In 2006, Yotam started writing a weekly column. It was for The Guardian newspaper. The column was called "The New Vegetarian." Even though he is not a vegetarian himself, he loves cooking with vegetables. He often shows how vegetables can be the main part of a meal. He believes vegetables should be celebrated for what they are.
His Famous Cookbooks
Yotam Ottolenghi has written many bestselling cookbooks. His first book, Ottolenghi: The Cookbook, came out in 2008. He wrote it with Sami Tamimi.
Some of his other popular books include:
- Plenty (2010)
- Plenty More (2014)
- Jerusalem (2012) (also with Sami Tamimi)
- Sweet (2017), which is all about desserts
- Ottolenghi Simple (2018)
- Ottolenghi Flavour (2020)
- Ottolenghi Test Kitchen: Shelf Love (2021)
- Ottolenghi Test Kitchen: Extra Good Things (2022)
- Ottolenghi Comfort (2024)
His cookbooks are known for their clear instructions. They also have beautiful photographs. Many people say his books have changed how Londoners cook and eat. He has made many people love vegetables more.
TV Shows and Awards
Yotam Ottolenghi has also hosted several TV shows. These include:
- Jerusalem on a Plate (2011)
- Ottolenghi's Mediterranean Feast (2012)
- Ottolenghi's Mediterranean Island Feast (2013)
He has also been a guest judge on Masterchef Australia. He appeared on the show in 2017, 2019, and 2021. He liked this show because it focuses on helping the contestants grow.
Yotam Ottolenghi has won many awards for his cooking and books.
- In 2010, Plenty won "Food and Drink Book of the Year" at the Galaxy National Book Awards.
- In 2013, his book Jerusalem won a James Beard Award for "International Cookbook."
- In 2016, he won another James Beard Award for NOPI, the Cookbook.
- He has also received awards from the Guild of Food Writers.
See also
In Spanish: Yotam Ottolenghi para niños
