After a decade: Ran Shmueli bids farewell to the legendary Claro restaurant

Chef Ran Shmueli sells his full stake in the Claro restaurant in Tel Aviv and London to his partners from the Kolber family for millions of shekels, after 12 years of operation. The separation occurs in good spirits and without conflict, and the chef will continue to lead the Ma'arava complex and develop a new culinary project.

Chef Ran Shmueli, one of the most influential figures in Israeli cuisine, is ending his tenure at the Claro restaurant in the Sarona complex in Tel Aviv and its London branch, which opened about a year ago. Shmueli is selling his full stake to his business partners from the Kolber family, one of the wealthiest and most established families in the economy, for millions of shekels. The deal marks the chef's departure from the establishment that became one of the most successful in Israel. Sources familiar with the details clarified that the separation was without conflict, and the business partnership reached a natural conclusion. The Kolber family will now take full ownership and continue to operate both restaurants. Claro restaurant opened in 2014 within a preserved Templar building in Sarona, establishing the Farm to Table vision. Its success led to expansion to London about a year ago. Shmueli described challenges in operating the London restaurant amid protests against Israel, including demonstrations and fear of vandalism. The chef will continue to lead the Ma'arava events complex at Kibbutz Ga'ash and is already working on a new culinary project, details of which have not yet been revealed.