Raz Shabtai, who grew up in Jerusalem and began washing dishes at 13, says Mutra’s star feels ‘like winning an Oscar’ and proves kosher cuisine belongs at the highest levelTiki Golan|A little-known chef from Jerusalem entered one of the world’s most prestigious culinary circles this week, making history after his kosher restaurant in Miami earned a Michelin star. His restaurant, Mutra, is currently the first and only kosher restaurant in the world to receive the honor.The moment was overwhelming. In a video posted on social media, Shabtai is seen breaking down in tears after learning of the award. Two days later, speaking by phone from Miami, he still sounded as if he was trying to catch his breath.“I still haven’t processed it,” Shabtai said. “It is a great honor for me. Michelin, for me, is a symbol of excellence. When I got the star, Assaf Granit and Moshik Roth texted me. Do you know what that means to me? I always looked up to them. Chef Yossi Shitrit wrote to me too, and so did Matan Zaken from France, who also has a star. Chefs from around the world wrote to me. It’s huge, like winning the Super Bowl or an Emmy or an Oscar. I’m processing everything and always trying to stay humble.”Shabtai, 42, began working in kitchens at 13 as a dishwasher in a Jerusalem restaurant. Over the years, he says, he worked almost everywhere, including pizzerias. For the past five years, he has lived in Miami with his fiancée.Before opening Mutra, he worked as a private chef. That is how he met his partner and investor, Michael Wertzberger, with whom he developed a close friendship.Mutra opened only a year and a half ago in North Miami, far from the city’s main restaurant scene. Shabtai named the restaurant after his grandmother, who helped raise him and was one of the most important figures in his life. The restaurant serves Middle Eastern food in an open kitchen, using a farm-to-table model.3 View gallery 'I wanted something that would remind me of Jerusalem' Chef Raz Shabtai (Photo: Adir Avivi)“I worked everywhere,” he said. “I believe food connects people, and because I missed home, I decided to open this restaurant here. It was my selfish need. I wanted something that would remind me of Jerusalem, of home, of my family.”After cooking at an event for Wertzberger, Shabtai said his future partner told him that if he ever wanted to open a restaurant, he should call him. “And that’s what I did,” Shabtai said. “When I was looking for a place, I met Noa Figari, an Israeli real estate agent, and suggested that she join us and manage the restaurant and the group. She agreed, and here we are.”Did he aim for Michelin from the beginning?