Chef Yotam Ottolenghi (2024)

Birthday: 14 December 1968

Find Yotam Ottolenghi on social media

Yotam Ottolenghi is an Israeli born British chef, restaurateur and food writer who is renowned for his intelligent, yet ultimately simple, use of flavours which has led him to be regarded as one of the best chefs in the world. Born in Israel to a chemistry teacher and high school principal, Ottolenghi shares both Italian Jewish and German Jewish descent. Growing up in Israel and spending summers in Italy, Ottolenghi was exposed to a wealth of cuisine. In his early twenties, Ottolenghi was conscripted to serve in the Israeli defence forces and served three years in the intelligence headquarters. He then went on to study a combined bachelor’s and master’s degree in comparative literature at Tel Aviv university, at the same time working as a night copy editor for Haaretz. In 1997, Ottolenghi moved to Amsterdam and worked as an editor for the Hebrew section of the Dutch-Jewish weekly NIW, shortly after he moved to London to study pastry at Le Cordon Bleu.

Ottolenghi went on to serve as a pastry chef at three different restaurants including the Michelin-starred Capital Restaurant before becoming head pastry chef at Baker and Spice, an artisanal pastry shop, meeting Sami Tamimi in the process, who would go on to become a business partner. In 2002 the pair opened Ottolenghi, the famous delicatessen in Notting Hill, which became an instant hit for its use of unique flavour combinations and fantastic produce paired with Middle Eastern opulence. Since then they have opened a range of restaurants, including more locations akin to the original Ottolenghi delicatessen under the same name as well as a brasserie (Nopi) and a vegetable-focused restaurant (Rovi).

In 2006 Ottolenghi started writing for The Guardian focusing on vegetarian recipes. This, paired with his vegetable focus in his restaurants has led many to believe he is a vegetarian, despite him not actually being so - he often suggests meat pairings to go with his dishes. His down-to-Earth writing style looks to champion vegetables and pulses without making them taste like meat or play second fiddle to it. In 2008 he published his debut cookbook Ottolenghi which was hugely popular and widely regarded and he has since gone on to write lots more, all of which continue his focus on ingredients and intelligent flavour combinations. His name has become synonymous with delicious food and quality and his books continue to be highly respected within the culinary community.

Chef Yotam Ottolenghi (2024)

FAQs

Are Ottolenghi recipes complicated? ›

They are usually fairly simple recipes that focus on a good combination of flavours - even as home cooks, they're not nearly the most complicated things we make. He also doesn't use a lot of complex sauces, and since I don't like making complex sauces it means I like his recipes.

How many cookbooks has Ottolenghi sold? ›

His books have sold over 1.5 million copies in North America and 5 million worldwide.

Who is Ottolenghi great British chefs? ›

Yotam Ottolenghi is a cookery writer and chef-patron of the Ottolenghi delis and NOPI restaurant and ROVI. He writes a weekly column in The Guardian's Feast Magazine and a monthly column in The New York Times.

Where is Ottolenghi test kitchen? ›

Based in the Ottolenghi Test Kitchen in Holloway, Yotam spends much of his time with the OTK team, writing, creating, and testing recipes for his books and columns in the Guardian and the New York Times.

What is the most difficult recipe in the world? ›

Widely used as the metric of a chef's ability, consommé is one of the most challenging dishes to cook. Despite its light and small yield, traditional consommé requires a large amount of meat; which is why it was long associated with society's upper classes who could afford such extravagance!

What is the hardest chef dish to make? ›

1. Consommé Devilish dish: A clear soup made from meat, tomato, egg whites and stock, slowly simmered to bring impurities to the surface for skimming. Techn-eeek: Even some of the most experienced chefs cannot master the complex clarification process required to make consommé.

What does Ottolenghi's husband do? ›

Ottolenghi entertains every second weekend at the London home he shares with his Northern Irish husband Karl Allen, a law graduate and former British Airways flight attendant, and a collector of vintage 1950s antiques, and their two sons.

Does Ottolenghi have any Michelin stars? ›

So far, his books have sold 5 million copies, and Ottolenghi - although he has never even been awarded a Michelin star and without being considered a great chef - has successfully blended Israeli, Iranian, Turkish, French and, of course, Italian influences to create a genre that is (not overly) elegant, international, ...

How rich is Ottolenghi? ›

Key Financials
Accounts20192021
Cash£1,336,712.00£1,688,812.00
Net Worth£1,543,770.00£2,583,579.00
Total Current Assets£1,938,410.00£3,162,953.00
Total Current Liabilities£406,652.00£612,500.00

What religion is Ottolenghi? ›

Yotam Ottolenghi was born to Jewish parents in Jerusalem and raised in its Ramat Denya suburb, the son of Michael Ottolenghi, a chemistry professor at Hebrew University and Ruth Ottolenghi, a high school principal. He is of Italian Jewish and German Jewish descent and often spent his childhood summers in Italy.

Is Ottolenghi vegan? ›

The guy's an omnivore but his recipes are overwhelmingly vegetarian and vegan. His vegetarian (not vegan) cookbook Plenty< spent years near the top of Britain's bestseller lists.

Who owns Ottolenghi? ›

About us. Ottolenghi began in a small shop in Notting Hill, London in 2002. Chefs Yotam Ottolenghi and Sami Tamimi were at the helm, creating a unique deli, restaurant, and bakery setting, which soon became a clear reflection of our obsessive relationship with food.

Who is the CEO of Ottolenghi? ›

Emilio Foa has extensive experience in various leadership roles within multiple companies. Emilio is currently serving as the CEO of Ottolenghi Ltd since April 2022. Emilio has also held the position of Chairman for KellyDeli, starting in January 2024.

What is Ottolenghi famous for? ›

Yotam Ottolenghi is the chef-patron of the Ottolenghi group. He is the author of nine best-selling cookery books which have garnered many awards, including the National Book Award for Ottolenghi SIMPLE, which was also selected as best book of the year by the New York Times.

What is the Ottolenghi effect? ›

His commitment to the championing of vegetables, as well as ingredients once seen as 'exotic', has led to what some call 'The Ottolenghi effect'. This is shorthand for the creation of a meal which is full of color, flavor, bounty, and surprise.

What is the hardest cooking show? ›

'MasterChef Australia' has long touted itself as the “hardest cooking competition in the world,” and with good reason. But its difficulty level isn't the only thing that's made it popular, with both fans and competitors alike.

What is the most difficult dish in cooking simulator? ›

The delicate swordfish is grilled to perfection and drenched in a broth of onion, red bell pepper, yellow bell pepper, garlic, white wine, anchovies, and spices. It's perhaps the most challenging plate of all here, with upwards of 13 ingredients and five different cooking elements, but also one with the most reward.

Are Ottolenghi recipes vegetarian? ›

Essential for meat-eaters and vegetarians alike, Plenty features more than 120 recipes organized by ingredient. One of the most exciting talents in the cooking world, Yotam Ottolenghi's food inspiration comes from his Cordon Bleu training, Mediterranean background, and his unapologetic love of ingredients.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Carlyn Walter

Last Updated:

Views: 5995

Rating: 5 / 5 (70 voted)

Reviews: 93% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Carlyn Walter

Birthday: 1996-01-03

Address: Suite 452 40815 Denyse Extensions, Sengermouth, OR 42374

Phone: +8501809515404

Job: Manufacturing Technician

Hobby: Table tennis, Archery, Vacation, Metal detecting, Yo-yoing, Crocheting, Creative writing

Introduction: My name is Carlyn Walter, I am a lively, glamorous, healthy, clean, powerful, calm, combative person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.