Assaf Granit
Assaf Granit | |
|---|---|
| Born | Assaf Elkanna Granit August 20, 1978 Jerusalem, Israel |
| Occupation(s) | Chef, restaurateur, television presenter |
| Years active | 2008–present |
| Known for | Owner of Shabour, Michelin-starred restaurant in Paris; judge on Israeli cooking shows |
Assaf Elkanna Granit (; born 20 August 1978) is an Israeli culinary expert and proprietor of the Paris-based establishment Shabour. In January 2021, Granit was awarded a Michelin star for Shabour, marking the first time an Israeli restaurant in France received this distinction.
Biography
Granit's origins trace back to Jerusalem's Rasco district, where he was born to Israeli parents of Polish Jewish heritage who changed their family name from "Guterman" to a Hebrew version. He spent his childhood in the Nayot area and attended Denmark High School, where he earned the lasting moniker "Buffalo."
His military service was with the Israel Defense Forces' paratroopers brigade as a combat soldier. Following an injury sustained during training, he transitioned to a role as an instructor for medics.
Shabour
Shabour was launched by Granit in September 2019. Within a month, Forbes identified it as one of Paris's most fashionable new dining venues. The following month, French culinary publication Le Fooding honored him with a prestigious accolade. By December 2019, Le Figaroscope had declared Shabour the premier restaurant in Paris. The Michelin star awarded in January 2021 further elevated its status, attracting notable guests including Serena Williams.
Other restaurants
Granit is also the owner and operator of multiple other establishments: Balagan (Paris, opened in 2017), the Palomar (London), Sella (Saint Barthelemy, launched in 2022), and Machneyuda (Israel, established in 2009). He collaborates with Uri Navon on various projects. His culinary roots and training are grounded in Jerusalem.
Other projects
In November 2020, Granit secured a contract to establish six dining venues catering to approximately 3,000 employees at the Wix campus in Tel Aviv, with operations planned to commence in 2022. His team is responsible for providing all meals for the campus workforce.
Television
In 2008, Granit took part in the second season of "Knife Fight" on Channel 10, representing Israel in the American adaptation of the program.
From January 2014 onward, he has served as a judge on the culinary competition "Game of Chefs" (Mischakei HaChef) broadcast on Channel 13.
Starting in 2015, Granit hosted "Revolution in the Kitchen" on Channel 2, Israel’s version of Gordon Ramsay’s British series "Kitchen Nightmares."
In March 2017, he featured on "Chef Games: Food on Wheels" alongside chefs Meir Adoni and Moshik Roth.
He appeared in the second season of "Being Filmed" on Hot 3 during 2021.
On January 24, 2022, Granit began his role as a judge on "The Next Restaurant" airing on Channel 13, alongside chefs Moshik Roth, Yossi Shitrit, and Ruthie Russo. Additionally, he made a guest appearance on the second season of Home Alone.
During 2022, he fulfilled judging duties on the inaugural Israeli season of The Next Restaurant.