Month: April 2026

I was born and brought up in England and came to live in Israel.  Not a great combination of countries for gastronomy wonks. These were once considered two of the worst possible countries for fine cuisine. English cooking was the butt of jokes, especially by supercilious Frenchmen, and Israel was not much better. Bernard Lewin of The Times of London once visited Israel and he despaired of finding somewhere half normal to eat as he searched for a restaurant. His witty riposte was: “Doesn’t anyone here have a Jewish mother?”

We are in our seventh year of pandemic or war. I am not sure whether we are in a continuation of the October 7^th War, a repeat of the Second Iranian War or a never-ending sequel in the Third Lebanese War. Maybe it is a combination of all three. Covid was a peak time of domestic wine drinking at home. Unfortunately, with permanent ongoing wars, a blanket of anxiety has settled over the country. However, a glass of wine is recommended for a feeling of well-being. Drinking at home in moderation can be a pick-me-up and it can relax and soothe. I believe in the mantra: KEEP CALM, DRINK WINE AND CARRY ON!!