Yizhar Sahar 1977 – 2025
Yizhar is no longer here to wax eloquently about himself with undeniable wit and charm. Therefore, it falls to us to try to convey the wonder that he was. We won’t bore you with biographical details but will instead focus on the curiosity and imagination that were ever-present, and his exceptional ability to create elegant and balanced food.
Yizhar established the flavour palate at Rutenberg using local ingredients, through foraging and countless experiments with ancient preservation methods, but mainly through inspiration and an intense sense of what belonged together. The evolution of Rutenberg from a notable meal experience for visitors to the north to what has become today a haven for thoughtful ingredient-driven and intentional cooking was a step-by-step transformation, with no prior planning or grand vision. Yizhar’s sense of wonder always led us, and willingness to test his every whim brought about wonderful discoveries and countless comical and bizarre ones, we were never bored. Yizhar always said that in the end, he was a cook, and people came to Rutenberg to eat tasty food.
It is impossible to talk about Yizhar and Rutenberg without mentioning the community we created around it, his endless tinkering, the garden, and his love for animals. Over the years, we raised chickens, ducks, cats, a dog, a donkey, and calves… and delighted in every minute of it. Today, our dog, Yarden, and our cats, Esther and Emmanuel, are still with us.
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