Ben Siman-Tov — known to his legion of loyalists as Bengingi — showed a special knack for wooing a woman when he met Zikki, the one he would marry. His first gift to her was a half loaf of beetroot sourdough bread. She responded in kind by teaching him to prepare potato vareniki.
With that match made in a heavenly kitchen, the couple turned their passion for food into the social media phenomenon @BenGingi — with half a million Instagram and 1.2 million TikTok followers — a catering business in New York City and the hip Greenwich Village takeout counter Buba Bureka.
Now, they have translated their culinary glee into print with their debut cookbook, Eat Small Plates, an ode — and guide — to food as an engine of travel, family and friendship. Looking for a quick snack for guests about to arrive? Try Zikki’s creamy Cashew Basil Dip, served up using their recipe for freshly baked pita. Ready to turn things up a notch? They teach you to char eggplant, even to pickle.
Ben and Zikki will not only serve up their Israeli and Ukrainian-infused gastronomic advice but will also share a special “bite-to-go” to sate the hunger they will awaken in you.
In conversation with Jake Cohen, bestselling author of Jew-ish and I Could Nosh, star of A&E’s Jake Makes It Easy.