Food is an important part of the Israeli way of life; it is the focus of family gatherings, social events and public holidays. Even a quick visit from an unexpected friend sees the plates of food emerge from the kitchen. Jewish families from Europe to North Africa each bring their own unique flavours and prized recipes that have been passed down through generations.
A walk through the food markets in Israel will reveal a most wonderful selection of ingredients, fresh fruits and vegetables, sacks of nuts and seeds, trays piled high with secret blends of herbs and spices, freshly baked breads and savouries whose aromas tease and tempt the hungry shopper and more cheeses than you can name. Not to mention a vast array of trays filled with Baklava, halva, Turkish delight and k’nafe all on display, delighting the taste buds and creating a visual symphony of colour and texture.
Shlomo and Idan spent their childhood scampering around in these markets and it is from here that they developed their love of food.
Tucked away in a side alley of the market in Acre is an establishment called “Caf HaZa’av or the The Golden Spoon” it was here as a young teenager that Shlomo first learned to make humus. He was a frequent visitor and customer and would love to stand and watch as the owner made his daily tub of fresh humus from scratch.
SHLOMO ELISAR
FAT CAMEL FOUNDER
Shlomo’s first foray into the hospitality industry was in the Auckland’s Karangahape Rd in the late 80’s , when he and business partner Asher opened “Shesh Besh” a cafe unique for it’s time and the first Israeli cafe in New Zealand. The menu was made up of recipes sent direct from Shlomo’s Mum in Israel, and the Pita bread was baked fresh on sight as at that time, there was no commercially made Pita in New Zealand.
The food was fresh, tasty, healthy and affordable, and immediately became popular with the University students around the corner. After 7 years in operation, Shesh Besh remains an iconic part of K’Rds history.
When Idan approached Shlomo wanting to open “Fat Camel” cafe in 2009, it was decided that the menu which had been so popular back then, would be reinstated again, it was a decision they wouldn’t regret.
IDAN BEN ZE’EV
FAT CAMEL FOUNDER
Fat Camel was Idan’s first step into the hospitality industry, but right from the outset, Idan’s focus was to bring a high standard of consistently great coffee to the people of Whangarei. His passion for great coffee brought us to the Laffare Fat Camel Special Blend that we serve today. Idan has won the Northland Barista Awards several times and has also trained and led several of our Fat Camel Barista’s to do the same. Sadly covid brought an end to the awards, but that didn’t put a stop to his dedication to coffee, and Fat Camel went on to be voted Best Coffee in Northland, by you the public.
Idan has always insisted our Barista’s have the highest level of competency, as he rightly insists, “When you order a coffee, you want it to be the same every time” and once you’ve gone Fat Camel, you never go anywhere else.
Idan’s social personality have helped to shape the cafe into the place it is today, full of regulars that chat to each other, and tourists that leave feeling like they’re old friends and can’t wait to come back.
