Chef’s Table: Ben and Zikki Siman-Tov

Eat Small Plates, Presented in Partnership with Books & Books

Join us at The Hub to kick off our fall Chef’s Table series with Ben and Zikki Siman-Tov celebrating their new cookbook, Eat Small Plates.

Ben and Zikki Siman-Tov are best known for their viral Instagram presence, bustling NYC catering business and bureka shop, BUBA. These days, with not a moment to spare, they happily host friends and family, thus inspiring their debut cookbook, Eat Small Plates. Every colorful photo and recipe combines Ben’s knack for vibrant Israeli flavors and Zikki’s passion for shareable, soul-warming Ukrainian-inspired dishes resulting in bold and exciting recipes for every dinner or gathering.

In the book, Ben and Zikki distill years of lived culinary experience—from Tel Aviv kitchens and Italian food schools to New York dinner parties—into a guide for home cooks who love to host, share, and savor. These vibrant, mix-and-match recipes are designed to be made ahead, served at room temperature, and enjoyed communally, making it easier than ever to entertain with warmth and ease.

With favorites such as Ben’s freshly baked Pita (pg 109) and Schnitzel Fingers (pg 265), Zikki’s crunchy chopped Jeweled Celery Salad (pg 136), and creamy Cashew Basil Dip (pg 99), and sweet treats like Rogalach (pg 283) and Knafeh (pg 287), this ultimate hosting cheat sheet helps home cooks transform simple ingredients into beautiful, intentional dishes. Ben and Zikki share essential cooking techniques—from charring an eggplant to incorporating pickling into your daily routine—and even offer tips for those who don’t want to cook at all (but still want to host!).

At its heart, this book is an ode to a style of eating that reflects the best kind of lived experiences: traveling, creating a family, and building beautiful lasting friendships wherever a meal can be shared. Here, Ben and Zikki offer their favorite small plate recipes for greater joy and connection every day.