A Conversation with Chef Anat: The Heart Behind the Kitchen
Chatting with Chef Anat behind my new favorite neighborhood spot, upcoming workshops & my own inspiration in the kitchen.
Welcome.
Hello! I'm Erica, the founder of Behind the Matches. Come along with me as I uncover the hidden stories behind matchbooks, explore the significance of cherishing life’s moments, and keep you posted on workshops and more!
Embracing the Heart of Connection
On an evening summer stroll, I discovered a new neighborhood restaurant on Greenwich Avenue. Drawn in by curiosity, I treated myself to a solo dinner. The seasonal and vegetable focused menu excited me — a tomato salad in peak season and celery root shawarma with probably the best hummus I’ve had to date plus homemade bread… I thought how lucky am I. Beyond the food, the warm atmosphere and genuine conversations left me feeling nourished.
This experience reminded me how a local restaurant can truly feel like an extension of home – not just for the food, but the warm hospitality.
Intrigued by the heart behind this place, I reached out to the owner, Anat Sror to learn more. Weeks later, I found her layering cream on a cake as I arrived for our chat.
We explored her journey from a humble kitchen to creating a vibrant culinary destination, uncovering her passion for shared experiences and deep connection to her roots.
From the Heart of Home to Culinary Visionary
Chef Anat's culinary journey began in her family's kitchen, where the smells of homemade stews and spices filled her home. Though not initially drawn to cooking, she observed her mother's gift for bringing people together around the table. Teaching Anat that a kitchen was more than just a place for food—it was a space for community and connection.
At 21, after serving in the army, Anat came to New York. Homesick for the food she grew up with sparked her cooking journey, leading to frequent calls home for recipes. Her mother's intuitive instructions like "a little bit of this and that" revealed there were no recipes to follow. As Anat cooked, she found comfort in familiar scents and memories. Hosting friends for weekly dinners and holidays, she discovered joy in sharing her food and a deeper love for cooking.
Anat took interest in the culinary world as she sought to recreate the dishes and sense of community she experienced in her youth. "In New York, I realized the connection with family is different," she reflects. "It's there, but people seem to have less time to eat together." She reminisced on Friday night Shabbat dinner and the importance of shared meals: "you realize how valuable that time is, not from a religious standpoint, but the time you spend together.”
Venturing into professional cooking, Anat realized how her upbringing shaped her culinary approach. "I wasn't the most involved in the kitchen as a child," she admits. Yet, seeing how food could create a sense of belonging as her mom had a gift of making everyone feel at home. She adds with a laugh, "My friends still go to my house to eat, even though I don't live there anymore. That's just how we grew up in Israel—the house was always open."
From Early Days to New Beginnings
Anat's culinary journey began with determination rather than formal training. "I didn't have educational experience," she recalls. "Whenever I would think of going [to culinary school], there was no way that I could afford it, so I thought, okay let me go into kitchens; here is where I will learn."
Her first gig was at a catering company and despite her lack of formal education, she thrived in this environment. Exchanging techniques and cultural insights with colleagues from various backgrounds taught her more than she could have imagined.
A pivotal moment came when the catering company closed and she was offered the chance to take on some clients. She began cooking from home and as her business grew, so did her need for a larger kitchen and her first restaurant was born.
Over two decades, Anat owned two Manhattan restaurants, discovering her passion for bringing her familiar flavors to the community. Reflecting on those years, she notes that what keeps her in the kitchen is the joy of watching food make people happy. We laughed as she recalled diverse patrons enjoying her food, particularly those who instinctively knew to use the pita for dipping.
Her new restaurant, Shosh—named after her biggest cooking influence, her mother, Shoshana—offers a dual vegan concept: a daytime delicatessen (coming soon) and an evening wine bar. After closing her last neighborhood restaurant in the Lower East Side, Anat ventured into a new neighborhood and with that comes a new concept.
Shosh blends the casual, community-focused vibe of her previous establishments with a more sophisticated approach for the evening crowd, showcasing Anat's ability to try something new while staying true to her core values of food, hospitality, and connection.
Inspiration Beyond the Kitchen
A cornerstone of Anat's culinary philosophy is her dedication to fresh, locally sourced ingredients. "In Israel, and growing up, fresh vegetables were incorporated into all food. I didn’t eat meat as a kid," she recalls. She believes that great food starts with great produce, and this philosophy is evident in every dish she creates. “Our menu has a lot of fresh vegetables, and we try to use as little as possible. It’s more simple, and tastes amazing.”
Operating as a fully vegan restaurant with a seasonally changing menu, it reflects this approach. At Shosh, you’ll find a menu filled with summer produce like a tomato salad, eggplant and gem lettuces. "We make our own bread and everything here when possible," Anat explains.
Despite the demands of owning a restaurant, Anat finds balance and inspiration through travel and activities like strolling through the market. Her love for traveling around the Mediterranean, with its emphasis on fresh ingredients and simple flavors, continually influences her cooking. "When I need new ideas, I take a break. Even if I leave and go upstate, I already see something—or I go to the farmers' market and I see, what can I create from this?”
Her local commitment and global inspiration keeps Anat's creations evolving, reflecting both her roots and her ongoing journey of discovery.
A Safe Space for Creativity and Connection
At the core of Anat's leadership philosophy is a nurturing environment for her team and guests. "The challenge is to find a way to work together and create something better. Because when two minds are working, something better comes out," she explains. This collaborative approach extends beyond the kitchen, “I want them to feel like they are a part of it also.”
As Anat continues to innovate, she remains dedicated to the values that have guided her from the beginning: the importance of community, the joy of creativity, and making people feel at home. Her journey serves as a reminder that every dish has the potential to create connections, transforming a simple meal into a celebration of human connection.
Reflecting on whether cooking is her true calling, she responded, “You don’t stick around with it if it's not in your soul.” These words encapsulate not only her dedication to the craft but also the deep love and passion that is in every dish she creates. For Chef Anat, cooking is more than just a profession—it’s a soulful expression of her commitment to bringing people together, one meal at a time.
Here are some quick updates ❤️
Thank you all for your interest in my workshops. Stay tuned for September announcements soon & a pop up in a new city! For more updates, follow me on instagram.
With summer produce at its peak, I’ve been enjoying cooking more than ever. I’ve been enjoying tomato toasts, summer rolls and fresh salads. For recipes of my creations, follow my TikTok.
