There is one important part of a Jewish kitchen… there is only ONE designated cook. There might be chef assistants and helpers, but there is only ONE chef. If you’re ever confused as to who is the head chef…just listen for the one yelling the loudest (in a Jewish kitchen everyone yells… but the loudest is the chef). The head chef will dictate what will be cooked, how to cook it and when it’s time to get out of their kitchen before you go to sleep hungry.

Since the beginning of  time the kosher kitchen was dominated by the women (still is), but with so many working mothers now, many Jewish men have filled the position as the kosher cook, and when the men don’t step in, usually it’s a Latin live in house keeper and/or whoever delivers. But this is rare, as most Jews will not give up the opportunity to cook, because they know every meal is another chance to spend time with friends, family and loved ones.

As long as a meal brings people together, Jews will be more than happy to cook it.

Most Jews have their own personal favorite deli. Though they will visit hundreds, if not thousands, of delis throughout their lifetime, there’s always one they favor most. If asked, sometimes even when no one asks, they will recount their experiences of perfectly golden potato pancakes and tell you all about Evelyn, the waitress who always made sure their coffee cup was full. They’ll tell you what to order at what time of the day and remind you if you ever stop by there, tell the staff Cadillac Lou said hello and he still hasn’t had a better bowl of cole slaw.

Delis are a home away from home for Jewish people and as of recent they are a great way to meet Jewish people (check your local deli around 11:00am on any Sunday and you’ll see it packed full of Kosher customers chomping away at their favorite meal). Many deli’s are actually owned by Jews…but not because of the opportunity to be a successful business, but simply so they can eat free deli food everyday. Running a booming business is great…but running a booming business that also gets you free lox on your bagel every morning is what Jewish life is all about.

As long as delis are open they will be apart of Jewish culture.

All Jews celebrate Christmas. I know that might sound a little hard to believe, but it’s true. No they don’t put up fancy trees, hang wreaths and stockings, or go to midnight mass, but they do celebrate, and they do it at one of their favorite places, Chinese restaurants.

Jewish people love Chinese food. Show me a Jew that doesn’t love beef and broccoli or kung pao chicken and I’ll tell you to check his birth certificate, because he my friend, is not a Hebrew. Chinese foods is as Jewish as dreidels and sleep away camp. It’s just as important as college degrees and Bar Mitzvahs. If 75% percent of the body is made up of water, for Jews at least, the other 25% is made up of lo mein, egg rolls, and duck sauce. There’s something about the way those little China men cook that wonton soup that makes our Hebrew hearts smile. If we can’t get to the restaurant, then we’ll order take out. As long as we can get our weekly fix of fortune cookies everything is going to be just fine.

Chinese food is surely the chosen food of the chosen people.

It’s said Jews first fell in love with bagels after they got out of the desert (lie). After 40 years of matzah they were desperate for another dough based bread and the bagel soon found itself in the kitchens of Jewish homes around the world. Whether it’s plain, a toasted poppy seed, or a everything with smear and lox, it’s a wonderful addition to any Jew’s day.