Eyal Shani, born in Jerusalem in 1959, is one of the most influential figures in Israeli cuisine. A self-taught cook with a poetic approach to food, Shani draws inspiration from regional ingredients and from his grandfather, a vegan agronomist who introduced him to local markets, fields, and vineyards at a young age.
He launched his culinary career in 1989 with Oceanus in Jerusalem, developing a signature style rooted in olive oil, tahini, fresh vegetables, and his now-iconic tomato. In 2008, together with longtime partner Shahar Segal, he opened HaSalon in Tel Aviv, an unconventional dining experience that helped redefine Israeli fine dining and continues to expand internationally.
Today Shani leads a global restaurant group of more than 50 restaurants, including Miznon, HaSalon, Malka, and Port Said. The group operates in cities including New York, Miami, Los Angeles, London, Paris, Melbourne, Vienna, and Singapore.
Known for transforming humble ingredients into expressive dishes, Shani has played a central role in shaping modern Israeli cuisine. He has also become a familiar face on Israeli television, starring in the food program Food for Thought and serving as a judge on MasterChef Israel for eleven seasons.
