“Chef Michael Solomonov and Steven Cook, co-owners of CookNSolo Restaurants, have redefined Israeli cuisine in the U.S. and beyond. With five James Beard Awards, including Zahav’s “Outstanding Restaurant” accolade in 2019, they are celebrated for honoring Israel’s diverse culinary traditions through innovative flavors and vibrant settings. Their Philadelphia-based group includes beloved concepts like Dizengoff, Goldie, K'Far, and Laser Wolf, with recent expansions in New York and, now, Miami’s 1 Hotel South Beach with AVIV.”

“Through their acclaimed cookbooks and the launch of Zahav Restaurant Recipe Hummus (Zahav Foods) at Whole Foods, they continue to share their signature approach to Israeli flavors with a nationwide audience.”

Zahav Foods, the CPG brand co-founded in 2024 by Chef Mike Solomonov and Steven Cook of the Michelin Recommended Zahav Restaurant in Philadelphia—has just launched Hummus Schug, its first flavored hummus and debut line extension.

“Hummus Schug features the Zahav Restaurant-Recipe Hummus base and a topping of Schug—a fiery, herbaceous Yemenite condiment made from fresh green chiles—designed to be swirled together at the table. Its layered flavor is driven by serrano peppers, parsley and cilantro; a fragrant spice blend of coriander, cumin and cardamom; and garlic, lemon and olive oil for brightness. Initially it’s available exclusively at Whole Foods.”

“The flagship Zahav Hummus itself offers an expert balance of flavor that relies on just six natural ingredients and no added oils: tehina, chickpeas, lemon juice, salt, cumin, and garlic. Zahav Hummus is made with approximately four times the amount of premium roasted tehina (sourced from Soom Foods) as other brands, and was the first tehina-forward style of hummus on U.S. grocery shelves.”

Mike Solomonov takes a break from his busy kitchens to stay with us.