Born in New York, Yotam’s family moved back to Israel when he was 4 years old. He grew up in Modi’in, a town right outside of Jerusalem. His love of cooking developed watching his grandfather in the kitchen. At the age of 14, Yotam got his first kitchen job. After graduation high school, he spent 3 years in the Israeli Army as a tank gunner.

In 2019 after leaving the army, he moved to Houston. He heard there was an Israeli steakhouse which he couldn’t wait to try. One meal at Doris Metropolitan had him sold and he knew he had to work there. He joined the team shortly after as a line cook. By 2020 he was Sous Chef.

In 2021, the owners asked him to head the kitchen at Hamsa. He spent all of January 2022 traveling and cooking in Israel to immerse himself in the cuisine.