Passover is deemed by many to be the most popular of the Jewish High Holidays, and Israeli chef Rotem Papo is celebrating it through the lens of his Moroccan roots at his venue Golda.
Golda will host a one-off dinner that will highlight elements of Mimouna; a festivity that's popular with North African-Jewish families. It occurs after sunset on the final day of Passover to mark the end of the traditional ban on leavened food products or chametz. The celebration is open to everyone and you'll often hear or see houses filled with music and people eating or dancing in the evening.
Guests can sit down to a five-course menu of shared dishes inspired by Rotem’s upbringing like house made frena bread; tomato and chilli matbucha with Lebanese cucumber; Moroccan slow-cooked snapper with capsicum and coriander sauce; or lamb neck tagine with pumpkin and dried apricot to name a few.
As a child, Rotem's family Mimouna would take place every year in his grandparents’ two-bedroom apartment in Israel, with people coming in and out. “About 500 people would come and go through the night” said Rotem, “and my grandmother would be in the kitchen, flattening and cooking mufleta so it is hot and fresh to eat. They had an open-door policy and everyone was welcome, it was a real party atmosphere and I hope to recreate it at Golda”.
Tickets cost $85 per person with an optional drink pairing available for a further $60, and Golda’s cocktail and full wine list will also be available to order throughout the evening. Reservations are essential and can be made here.