Avi Shemtov
Israeli-American Chef Avi Shemtov opened The Chubby Chickpea as a quick serve Israeli street food concept in 2010 in the Boston, MA suburbs. Credited with being part of the movement to popularize Israeli cuisine globally, Avi launched The Chubby Chickpea Food Truck less than two years later to critical acclaim. The Chubby Chickpea continues to operate multiple food trucks and catering outlets in the Boston area.
In 2017 Shemtov formed ‘The Shemtov Group’ the umbrella under which, in addition to The Chubby Chickpea, he would open TAPPED Beer Truck (2017) Simcha (2019), Arabe Food Truck (2020), a La Esh (2020) and Hummus v’ Hummus (coming to Brighton and Chestnut Hill winter 2021).
Chef Avi serves as Executive Chef of Simcha, which he opened in 2019 in his hometown of Sharon, MA. Focused on a New England influenced modern Israeli menu, Simcha was named one of Boston’s 15 best new restaurants by both BOSTON Magazine, and The Boston Globe. Simcha was also named ‘Best Restaurant South’ in 2020 Boston Magazine’s Best of Boston awards and number 7 in Boston Magazine’s ‘50 best restaurants’ list. Simcha was also featured on The Phantom Gourmet. A La Esh was also featured on Phantom and was named ‘one of Boston’s 10 best takeout’ in 2021.
Avi has appeared on multiple radio and television outlets, most notably PBS’ Simply Ming with Chef Ming Tsai and Henry in the Hub, on WGBH radio. In 2020 Avi and his team were invited to cook at the famed James Beard House. In 2015 he released ‘The Single Guy Cookbook’, which Amazon called Cookbook of the month in August 2015, and in 2021 he released his seocnd cookbook, ‘Simcha’ His podcast ‘Heat In The Kitchen’ with his college friend Corey O’Leary can be found anywhere podcasts can be heard.
In addition to his restaurant and business ventures, Avi currently sits on the board of Red, White and Blue Coats in his hometown, runs a school lunch program to combat food insecurity and mentors aspiring entrepreneurs. Avi is also an elected member of the Sharon School Committee.
Shemtov lives in Sharon, MA with his wife of 11 years, Adrien, and their two children, Adley and Adina.
