Valentines Day Pop-Up Dinner Event, Abundance, By Chefs Rotem Greniman And Adam Cohen Seven courses, two chefs, one night only. Abundance, a pop-up dinner and art show, is hosted by the ish Festival and 2022 BLINK Parade organizers.
Chefs Rotem Greniman And Adam Cohen
This Valentine’s Day, independent community engagement organization ish is collaborating with local chefs Rotem Greniman and Adam Cohen to test an upscale dining experience. The goal of ish is to foster connections through Jewish culture and the arts. Valentines Day Pop-Up Dinner Event, Abundance, By Chefs Rotem Greniman And Adam Cohen.
“The food is going to be amazing!” says Chef Rotem Greniman who’s culture-centered catering business is influenced by her Moroccan and Israeli heritage. “I started ‘Meals by Rotem’ during the Pandemic. I needed something to do so I didn’t go crazy. I missed cooking for people. I wanted to give families something special to look forward to at the end of the week”
Even though Greniman had been cooking for close friends and community events on and off for a number of years, she really started promoting herself as a professional chef during the pandemic with her weekly Israeli-inspired Friday night Shabbat dinners, which were available for pre-order from late 2020 to early 2021.
“I wouldn’t do anything like this without Adam,” Greniman said of her longtime friend and fellow chef, Adam Cohen. “I love working with Rotem…her Israeli-Mediterranean dishes pair so well with my culinary voice. We have different styles, but they are really compatible. The food cultures meet, and it just works”
“I jump at every chance I get to cook for people. It’s where my heart is,” said Adam Cohen.
Abundance
The exclusive one-night only event will take place at the brand-new Northside location of “ish Garage.” There are only a few spots available. The curatorial theme of Abundance will be reflected in both the menu and the accompanying art show. Course names will include “Bounty,” “Myriad,” and “Prosperity.”
“We want people to enjoy the richness of the flavors and appreciate the symbolism of the dishes…it’s about love, indulgence…” said Greniman.
The Jewish holiday of Tu B’shevat, which begins this year on Sunday, February 5 and is traditionally celebrated with a vegan meal made from seven plant species grown in the land of Israel, is also the inspiration for the seven-course tasting menu with optional wine pairings. Aligning with Valentine’s Day, which is on February 14th, the menu also features flavors and ingredients that are also inspired by the holiday.
“Pomegranate was the perfect throughline…it’s luscious red, sweet, and perfectly tart,” said Adam Cohen.
A pearl and rose bouquet will be presented at the start of the meal: beet rosettes and cured salmon roses, topped with pomegranate pearls, pomegranate mousse, and chocolate truffles with pomegranate dust. There will be a shared dish, a pasta course, a meat dish, and a fish dish, each highlighting the star ingredient in different ways, though the organizers haven’t released the entire menu.
Find Abundance now:
Tickets are available online and range from $180 – $268 with options for private or communal seating, and wine pairings. A portion of proceeds support the upcoming ish Festival on Sunday, October 1, 2023 in Washington Park.