Indian-Israeli celebrity chef Reena Pushkarna has once again stepped into the global spotlight after preparing an exclusive meal for Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to Tel Aviv. Her culinary contribution drew warm praise from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who revealed that Pushkarna’s restaurant also played a memorable role in his personal life. According to Netanyahu, one of his early dates with his future wife, Sara Netanyahu, took place at her establishment — a moment he credits as both romantic and delicious, joking that he remains “indebted” to her.
Born in New Delhi to an Iraqi-Jewish mother and an Indian father, Pushkarna’s journey to culinary fame began far from restaurant kitchens. She married Merchant Navy captain Vinod Pushkarna at a young age and spent nearly nine years traveling across the world by sea. During those years, she learned cooking from international chefs aboard ships, absorbing techniques and flavors that would later define her style. In 1983, the family settled in Israel, where she opened her now-legendary restaurant, Tandoori. Over the next four decades, the restaurant became synonymous with authentic Indian cuisine in Israel and a favorite gathering place for diplomats, celebrities, and locals alike.
Pushkarna gradually built a hospitality empire, launching additional Indian restaurants across Israel under the Tandoori and Kohinoor brands. Her entrepreneurial reach extended further with a line of kosher frozen Indian meals distributed in Europe, Canada, and the United States, making Indian food accessible to Jewish households worldwide. Beyond restaurants, she also worked as a consultant for major hospitality projects, including collaborations with Marina Bay Sands and The Venetian Macao, and helped organize large-scale entertainment events such as the Zee Cine Awards abroad.
#WATCH | Jerusalem, Israel: During his joint press statement with PM Modi, Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu mentioned that when he met his Sara for the first time, their first or second date was in an Indian restaurant of celebrity chef and restaurateur, Reena Pushkarna in Tel Aviv.… pic.twitter.com/H7D1o7hoKB
— ANI (@ANI) February 26, 2026
Her influence, however, goes beyond business. Pushkarna has long been associated with diplomatic circles and high-level visits between India and Israel. She joined delegations led by former Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon to India and accompanied Netanyahu during his trips to the subcontinent. She also prepared meals for Modi during his historic 2017 Israel visit, reinforcing her reputation as a culinary bridge between the two nations. Reports suggest her restaurant even hosted informal interactions connected to peace efforts facilitated by Norway in the early 1990s, underscoring how food can quietly shape political dialogue.
Speaking candidly at the joint press statement with PM Modi, Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu says, "…I owe India a great personal debt. When I met Sara (his wife) for the first time, I think our first or second date was in an Indian restaurant in Tel Aviv. It was Reena Pushkarna.… pic.twitter.com/jbOJEI7rHR
— New India Junction (@nijunction) February 26, 2026
Pushkarna often describes her work as “culinary diplomacy,” a philosophy that sees cuisine as a powerful tool for cultural connection. In Israel, she is also a television personality who has helped popularize Indian food among mainstream audiences. Her renewed prominence during Modi’s visit — which also highlighted broader cultural ties, including interest in Israeli pop culture such as the series Fauda — reflects the expanding people-to-people relationship between the two countries.
From a young traveler learning recipes at sea to a celebrated chef serving world leaders, Reena Pushkarna’s story is one of migration, entrepreneurship, and soft power. Her kitchen has not only introduced Indian flavors to Israel but has also hosted moments that intersect with history, diplomacy, and even romance — proving that sometimes the path to international friendship really does run through the dining table.