Israeli chef brings flavors of the Middle East to Healdsburg

There’s something you notice right away when you’re eating food prepared by chef Hila Fichtelberg of Dry Creek Catering: Certain dishes like hummus taste just like they do in Israel.

This is no coincidence; Fichtelberg was born in Israel and strives to replicate the flavors whenever possible.

Spices are her signature touch; in particular, she loves cooking with sumac and za’atar.

Members of Jewish Healdsburg will get to experience some of these delicious flavors for themselves at this weekend’s first-ever community Passover seder; Fichtelberg is the chef of record for the holiday event, and she will be preparing all the dishes on a three-course menu.

“It’s an honor to be participating in this event,” she said. “I have attended two seders already as a guest. Now I get to cook for one.”

Fichtelberg certainly is no stranger to the kitchen. After growing up on a kibbutz and spending the first 25 years of her life in Israel, she emigrated to the United States in 2000 and has worked in the food industry in Sonoma County since then.

Her first gig was at Hamburger Ranch & BBQ in Cloverdale—a restaurant her parents owned from 2000 until 2018.

She also has cooked at wineries such as Flowers in Healdsburg and Bricoleur in Windsor.

Fichtelberg started her catering company in 2015 and has been working on her own ever since. In addition to making and incorporating all her own spices, she specializes in produce-driven dishes designed to make people happy.

“I can do kosher and I can do not-kosher, whatever people want,” she said. “My food will always be delicious.”

For the Jewish Healdsburg seder, Fichtelberg will be preparing a total of three courses. Some of the highlights include her signature hummus and crudite; chicken liver pate with Passover crackers; Matzoh-ball soup; Moroccan fish with tomato sauce and Middle Eastern spices; and beef brisket with coffee rub.

Like most Jews, Fichtelberg said this year’s Passover carries additional meaning.

“Because of the situation in Israel, this year just means more,” she said. “I see Judaism more as tradition than as religion. It’s important that people celebrate, and I’m glad I can help [local people] do just that.”