We Are San Francisco

Samin Nosrat Appeared at JCCSF Alongside Israeli Chefs

The author of Salt Fat Acid Heat discussed the cookbook Honey & Co. Daily at a San Francisco event on Monday.

Updated on Oct. 10, 2026 in Food and Drink

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Author Samin Nosrat appeared at the JCCSF on Monday alongside chefs Itamar Srulovich and Sarit Packer to discuss their new cookbook. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Author Samin Nosrat appeared at the JCCSF with Israeli chefs Itamar Srulovich and Sarit Packer to discuss their latest cookbook. The appearance follows Nosrat’s 2023 signature on the Hospitality for Humanity pledge, which commits signers to avoid promoting or purchasing Israeli food products.

Why it matters

The intersection of the ongoing regional conflict and the local restaurant scene has created significant pressure for business owners across the Bay Area. Recent closures, including those of Sababa in San Francisco and Pomella in Oakland, have been attributed to business struggles and stresses related to the conflict.

More than 1,100 people signed the Hospitality for Humanity pledge, a commitment to avoid purchasing or promoting Israeli food products. The exact impact on local commercial procurement remains unknown.

The players

Samin Nosrat

A well-known chef and author of Salt Fat Acid Heat who recently appeared at the JCCSF.

Itamar Srulovich

An Israeli chef who participated in the JCCSF event to discuss a cookbook.

Sarit Packer

An Israeli chef who joined the discussion of the cookbook Honey & Co. Daily.

The details

At the JCCSF event, Nosrat discussed the book Honey & Co. Daily and encouraged attendees to visit the San Francisco bakery Loquat. Nosrat, who recently discovered she has Jewish ancestry, signed the pledge in 2023. The local culinary landscape has seen recent shifts, with the closure of Oakland restaurant Pomella and the sale of San Francisco restaurant Sababa, both linked to pressures surrounding the Oct. 7 Hamas attack.

Timeline

  1. 2017: Samin Nosrat authored Salt Fat Acid Heat.

  2. 2023: Nosrat signed the Hospitality for Humanity pledge.

  3. October 2023: Hamas launched an attack on Israel.

  4. October 7, 2026: Nosrat appeared at the JCCSF event.

Across the Bay

This event reflects the ongoing tension within the local restaurant community following the closures of establishments like Pomella in Oakland. The appearance follows a pattern of local chefs and business owners navigating the complex environment created by the conflict.

Readers looking to support local businesses may note the mention of Loquat bakery as a recommended spot. The recent restaurant closures in the area continue to influence the accessibility of specific local dining options.

The takeaway

The local food scene remains deeply affected by geopolitical events, as evidenced by recent closures in Oakland and San Francisco. Keep track of how local culinary establishments adjust their procurement and community engagement strategies in the coming months.

Further reading

For more on the local culinary scene, visit the Food and Drink section.

Source note: This article includes information reported by Cleveland Jewish News.

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