The is a tight-knit community dominated by men, where chefs often cook, intern, and learn from one another. Enter Rima Olvera, an outsider who defies the norm. A woman and an experienced chef, Olvera followed her heart from San Francisco to Israel, bringing a bold and unapologetic style that sets her apart.
Her Tel Aviv restaurant, Oasis, is a testament to innovative, creative, and globally inspired cuisine. With over 30 years of experience in top kitchens worldwide, Chef Olvera uses only the best seasonal local and imported produce. Her philosophy, as stated on Oasis’ homepage, is to “let the ingredients speak for themselves, letting them tell me what they wish to be transformed into.
This way, I respect them and let them shine in their natural perfection.” And shine they do. Believing that becoming a chef takes lifelong dedication, not just a diploma, Olvera says “Great food transcends trends and fashions, embodying a deep-seated necessity for true civilization.
” Located on Montefiore Street, the eatery’s urban decor features a black marble bar and an outdoor yard, where soon, she tells me, a wine bar will open, serving less formal food and Oasis’s great wines by the glass. The restaurant is quiet and intimate, providing a perfect setting for Olvera’s eclectic, maximalist, and feminine cooking. Unlike many who play it safe, Olvera embraces experimentation.
Oasis’s menu changes weekly, sometimes daily, reflecting the availability of ingredients – its meti.
