Israeli chef Eyal Shani sparks uproar after mixing hummus with bare hands in new LA restaurant

Celebrity Israeli chef Eyal Shani has sparked controversy following the launch of his new kosher restaurant, Malka, in Beverly Hills. Footage from the event shows Shani spreading hummus across a large tray and seasoning it using his bare hands, while guests cheered. The video quickly went viral, drawing sharp criticism from online viewers who described the practice as unhygienic and disgusting. Critics questioned the safety of the food preparation, while supporters argued that chefs frequently handle food with their hands and that Shani’s approach is simply part of his signature theatrical culinary style. Some defenders noted that gloves can also carry contaminants and that the chef's methods are consistent with his unconventional presentation style. Malka is the first restaurant opened by Shani’s group on the U.S. West Coast, located within the SIXTY hotel near Rodeo Drive.