Itzik Barak, Inbal Jerusalem Hotel Executive Chef
Chef Itzik Barak was born and raised in Jerusalem amidst the unique aromas and tastes, which accentuate the Holy City's diverse ethnic mix.
This unique “melting pot” of the Middle East provided the culinary tapestry and inspiration for his career.“Love at first bite” is the way that Barak described his first encounter with the many colorful culinary delights he discovered in his family's kitchen. As a child, he helped his mother and grandmother prepare a variety of dishes, where he also learned about authentic, traditional food, or what Chef Barak calls-“Food with Spirit.”
Chef Barak is proud to have worked with many renowned culinary experts both in Israel and abroad. In Israel, Chef Barak served as the Executive Chef and Food & Beverage Director, at the 5-star luxury Sheraton City Tower hotel in Ramat Gan; and managed the bustling kitchens in the upscale Herod’s hotel complex in Eilat.
Chef Barak regularly travels all over the globe to enrich his culinary skills and “soak-up” the culture of different countries. He has spent time in some of Manhattan's most exclusive restaurants including: Daniel, Le Bernardine and Per Se. He has also visited some of the top restaurants in Paris, Tokyo and Hong Kong.
Chef Barak has had the unique privilege of cooking for some of the world's most influential leaders including several Israeli Presidents & Prime Ministers, as well as former Russian President Mikhail Gorbachev. President Gorbachev remarked to Chef Barak that he did not eat all day prior to his meal at the Inbal Hotel's flagship Sofia restaurant, as he "wanted to savor every bite!"
Chef Itzik Barak is currently the Executive Chef at the Inbal Jerusalem Hotel . Chef Barak prides himself on buying only the freshest produce, sold in some of the city's most fascinating outdoor Middle Eastern markets. His diverse menus highlight what he likes to call "culinary works of art."