Our Story

Who we are

The Israel Food Tours team is comprised of talented and passionate individuals with unique and in-depth knowledge of the Israeli culinary scene. We are currently working on a variety of digital publishing projects. Stay tuned for future details.

Ben Brewer - Founder
I was raised in the United States and even after being in Israel for many years I am often asked why I made the move. For a while now my response has been "because the tomatoes taste better." (there really is no comparison!) I think Israel offers an amazing variety of foods, top quality produce, and there always seems to be something new and exciting in the food scene. Providing these tours is a natural extension of my love for Israel's cuisine. I think Israel's food should be considered as one of the world's best, on the same level with France, Mexico, Spain, China, etc...One of my goals with Israel Food Tours is to put Israel firmly on the culinary map. This passion comes out in the tours we provide and I want all our participants to experience a memorable, unique and tasty tour.

Liz Steinberg - Guide

I believe the availability of excellent food in Israel is one of the key things that makes quality of life so good here -- you don't have to be wealthy to eat well when the markets are full of fresh vegetables grown all of an hour away. Top-rank agriculture combined with the cultural diversity means this is a place where you can always find new culinary discoveries, whether they be in hole-in-the-wall restaurants or the homes of families with unique traditions. My goal is to convey how exciting food here can be, whether through my writing, including for my blog Cafe Liz, or with Israel Food Tours.

Ariella Amshallem - Guide

Ariella is a cooking, baking, food-blogging, shuk-shopping, half Israeli, half New Englander, with a serious love of chocolate, whole wheat bread and very cold beer. She is a trained pastry chef and ballet dancer who is always trying to fit both her passions into her work and play. Ariella enjoys sharing her love of Israel's outdoor markets and eateries and feels proud to live in a country where local produce and homemade food is still a way of life for so many people. When she is not in the kitchen or the dance studio she is hanging out with her favorite little girl and a handsome carpenter who eats much of her cooking before it reaches the table. Ariella's favorite recipes and food adventures are at her fantastic blog.

Aviv Horenstein - Guide

As a designer, who makes a living from aesthetics, I also love my food beautiful. As I see it, cooking is the only art that uses all senses and what makes it so wonderful. My food photography hobby always reminds me how much design and cooking have in common.I've collected and invented recipes since I can remember, and in my typical tiny Tel Avivian kitchen I bring them to life. I have deeply loved Tel Aviv since I was a kid, and find it at the cream of the crop of Israel's diverse cuisine and the perfect hybrid of old and modern.

Irene Sharon Hodes - Guide

Irène Sharon Hodes is a writer, sommelier, and cook who hails from Chicago. The daughter of an Israeli and an American, she ate and studied her way around the world until settling in Tel Aviv four years ago. She holds both a wine and culinary diploma, and attended the Tadmor Culinary School in Herzliya, Israel. Irene is a member of the education and marketing department of the Golan Heights Winery.

Israel Food Tours