Reena Pushkarna

Reena Pushkarna is more than just a chef. She is a cultural ambassador who has spent decades building bridges between India and Israel through food, hospitality, and diplomacy. Born in New Delhi in 1958, she later moved to Israel and became a household name by introducing authentic Indian cuisine to a country that had little exposure to it at the time. Her journey is not only about cooking but also about resilience, family, and the power of culture to connect nations.

Over the years, she has been called the “Curry Queen of Israel,” a title that reflects her pioneering role in popularizing Indian food in the Middle East. Her restaurants became places where world leaders, celebrities, and everyday people gathered to experience the warmth of Indian hospitality. From hosting Prime Minister Narendra Modi to serving Benjamin Netanyahu and Ariel Sharon, her story is deeply tied to the history of Indo-Israel relations.

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Reena Pushkarna Career, Age, Husband, Family, BIO

Early Life and Family Background

Reena Pushkarna was born on 10 February 1958 in New Delhi, India. She grew up in a family that was both diverse and disciplined. Her father, Colonel Arjun Singh, was a Sikh officer in the Indian Army, while her mother, Matilda, came from an Iraqi-Jewish background. This unique mix of traditions gave Reena a rich cultural upbringing. She was the youngest in the family, with one brother, Anil, and two sisters, Rita and Anita. Anita was her twin, and together they shared a close bond during childhood.

Growing up in a military household meant discipline and structure were part of daily life. Yet, her mother’s Jewish heritage also brought a different cultural flavor to the home. Reena often recalls how her childhood was filled with warmth, stories, and traditions from both sides of her family. This blend of Indian and Middle Eastern influences would later shape her career and identity as a chef who could connect cultures through food.

Marriage and Personal Life

At the young age of 16, Reena married Vinod Pushkarna, a Merchant Navy Captain. Her marriage changed her life in unexpected ways. For nearly nine years, she traveled with her husband across oceans, living on ships and experiencing life in different parts of the world.

Reena and Vinod built a family together, raising two children – daughter Sarina and son Kunal. Eventually, the family settled in Herzliya, Israel, where Reena began her journey as a restaurateur. Despite the challenges of moving to a new country, she carried with her the strength of her family and the lessons she had learned during her years at sea.

Learning Culinary Arts on the High Seas

Reena’s love for cooking began during her years of travel with her husband. Living on ships gave her the chance to interact with chefs from different countries. She learned from Indian, Thai, Japanese, and Indonesian cooks, picking up techniques and flavors that would later become part of her own style.

Cooking was not just a hobby for her; it became a way to connect with people. She realized that food could tell stories and build friendships across cultures. By the time she moved to Israel in 1983, she had already developed a unique cooking style that blended Indian authenticity with international influences. This foundation helped her stand out in Israel’s food scene, where Indian cuisine was still new and unfamiliar.

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First Steps in Israel’s Food Scene

When Reena and her family moved to Israel in 1983, she faced the challenge of starting fresh in a new country. At that time, Indian food was almost unknown in Israel. People were curious but had little idea about the flavors and traditions of Indian cooking. Reena decided to take the bold step of opening her first restaurant, which she named Ichikadana. The name was inspired by a famous song from Raj Kapoor’s film Shree 420.

The restaurant was vegetarian and reflected her belief in healthy, simple food. However, the venture faced difficulties and eventually closed. For many, this would have been the end of the dream, but Reena saw it as a lesson. She understood that introducing Indian food to Israel would take patience, persistence, and a deeper connection with the local culture. This setback became the foundation for her later success.

Rise of the Tandoori Restaurant Chain

In 1984, Reena opened Tandoori in Jerusalem, and this marked the real beginning of her culinary empire. The restaurant quickly became popular, not only for its food but also for the warmth and hospitality that Reena brought to every guest. Soon, she expanded to Tel Aviv and other locations, creating a chain that introduced authentic Indian cuisine to thousands of Israelis.

Her restaurants became famous for hosting dignitaries and celebrities. Leaders like Benjamin Netanyahu and Ariel Sharon dined at her tables, as did international figures like Zubin Mehta. In fact, her restaurant played a role in history when it hosted peace talks between Israelis and Palestinians in 1993. This showed that food could be more than just a meal; it could be a bridge for dialogue and understanding.

International Expansion and Business Ventures

Reena’s vision was not limited to Israel. She expanded internationally, opening restaurants in Singapore and Macau under the Tandoori and Kohinoor brands. In Singapore and Macau, she also started the Pita Pan business, which served quick food with Indian influences.

Another major achievement was the creation of PRESCO Food Industries. This company produced ready-to-eat kosher Indian meals that were supplied to airlines, supermarkets, and even the Israeli Army. By doing this, Reena made Indian food accessible to people who might never visit her restaurants. It also showed her skill in combining tradition with modern business ideas.

Association with World Leaders

Reena’s restaurants were not just places to eat; they became venues for diplomacy. Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited her restaurant during his trips to Israel, including in 2017 and again in 2026. Benjamin Netanyahu often spoke about how important her food was in his life, even recalling that his first date with Sara Netanyahu took place at her restaurant.

She also joined delegations with Israeli leaders like Ariel Sharon and Netanyahu when they visited India. Her presence in these delegations highlighted her role as a cultural envoy, someone who could represent both India and Israel through her work. This unique position made her more than a chef; she became a symbol of friendship between two nations.

Awards, Honors, and Recognition

Reena’s contributions have been widely recognized. In 2023, she received the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award, one of the highest honors given to overseas Indians. She was also honored by the Israel-Asia Chamber of Commerce in 2004 for her role in strengthening ties between India and Israel.

Beyond awards, she has appeared on Israeli television as a celebrity chef, sharing recipes and stories with viewers. Her recognition is not only about food but also about her ability to represent Indian culture in Israel. These honors reflect her long journey and the respect she has earned in both countries.

Interesting Facts and Anecdotes

• Reena was pampered as the youngest child in her family.
• Her first restaurant, Ichikadana, was named after a Bollywood song.
• Benjamin Netanyahu’s first date with Sara Netanyahu took place at her restaurant.
• She has hosted global icons like Sophia Loren and Shimon Peres.
• She speaks Hebrew, English, Hindi, Punjabi, Marathi, and Gujarati.
• Her journey began as a homemaker traveling with her husband, and she later became one of Israel’s most famous restaurateurs.

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