Chef Raz Shabtai joins me for a candid conversation about his journey from his grandmother’s kitchen in Jerusalem to Mutra in Miami, the first kosher restaurant in the world to earn a MICHELIN Star.

Long before the recognition, there was a shy young boy who found comfort in his grandmother’s kitchen. He watched her hands work without recipes and learned lessons that extended far beyond food. Her generosity, resilience, and hospitality would eventually become the foundation of the restaurant that bears her name.

We trace Raz’s journey from his first restaurant job as a dishwasher through kitchens in Israel and New York, his experience as a private chef, and the decision to bring his interpretation of Jerusalem cuisine to Miami. He explains how memories, emotions, Florida’s seasonal ingredients, and his childhood traditions shape the dishes at Mutra. 

We also discuss what kosher cooking means, the unforgettable moment Mutra received its MICHELIN Star, the pressure of maintaining that recognition, and why he refuses to cook for inspectors.

Plenty of laughs come along the way, from Bad Bunny playing in his dining room to his unapologetic love of cheesy baked pasta, and my continued hatred of beets.

But perhaps the most meaningful moment comes when Raz reflects on being bullied as a child and shares a message for anyone who has ever questioned their worth—An honest and emotional conversation about identity, perseverance, hospitality, and cooking from the heart.

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