Tom Aviv
Irreverent, visionary, bold and a total flavor rebel, Chef Tom Aviv has become the Israeli sensation of the international culinary community through a combination of grit, imagination and killer instincts in the kitchen. Born and raised in Tel Aviv, he broke onto the Israeli food scene after his incredible win of “MasterChef” in 2016 with no formal culinary training. Since then, he has also appeared on several television programs such as “Ready, Steady, Go” and “Passport For Recipe, Cooking Secrets,” and “The Chef”. After gaining notoriety for his brave, out-of-the-box recipes and bad boy persona, he founded Coco Group and went on to spearhead the openings of five very different and hugely successful culinary concepts. Aviv first opened Coco Bambino, in the heart of Tel Aviv’s Carmel Market neighborhood. The “high vibe” taverna gained an avid following with eager patrons showing up daily for traditional Israeli dishes with Italian twists. Bambino’s success led to the launch of award-winning burger spot, Fat Cow — named by Time Out as the “Best Hamburger in Tel Aviv” three years in a row — and led to the purchase of Trigger & Tom Butchery, where the finest meat is held to the highest of standards. Last year, on the heels of Israel and Morocco’s historic peace agreement, Tom became the first Israeli chef to open a restaurant there in Casablanca – Milk & Honey, an all-day casual eatery recognized for modern top-tier halal cuisine. American foodies will now get their first taste of the deft and ever-creative Aviv in his soon-to-debut Miami establishment, Branja. This completely innovative 1970’s retro-inspired restaurant nestled in Upper Buena Vista, (opening in 2022) will showcase a menu of dishes that combine regional Israeli flavors with eclectic global palates, each inspired by Aviv’s experience around the world and reflective of his vibrant personality and passion for food.
In addition to his restaurants, Aviv has also launched collaborations with global brands such as Audi, OMEGA, Adidas and Samsung. He’s even created his own premium knives collection with Arcosteel, the international brand loved by chefs for its high-quality kitchen and tabletop products.
Chef Tom Aviv continues to impress the culinary community, not afraid to take risks and incorporate classic spices in completely unexpected ways. He is bringing to life, fresh and unparalleled concepts using simple yet elevated ingredients, whipping up a mélange of his native regional dishes with flavors and techniques informed by his world travels and his limitless imagination.
