Chef Ran Shmueli is leaving the "Claro" restaurants in Tel Aviv and London

Chef Ran Shmueli, one of the influential figures in Israeli culinary, is ending his path at the Claro restaurant in the Sarona complex in Tel Aviv and at the branch in London that opened about a year ago — this was learned by N12. Shmueli, who founded the restaurants and was identified with them for many years, is selling his full holdings to his business partners. The deal is estimated at millions of shekels, and it marks the chef's departure from the institution that became one of the most successful in Israel.

Despite the drama in the industry, which is sometimes known for stormy separations, sources familiar with the details clarified that Shmueli and his partners are parting ways without conflict. According to them, the business partnership reached a natural conclusion and the parties chose to end the engagement in a friendly and respectful manner. Shmueli's partners, the Kolber family, which is considered one of the wealthiest and oldest families in the economy, will now take full ownership and continue to operate both restaurants.

Claro restaurant opened in 2014 inside a preserved Templar building in the Sarona complex. The restaurant made a name for itself as one of the most stable and busy in Israel, basing itself on the Farm to Table vision. The success in Tel Aviv led to international expansion, and about a year ago the branch in London opened in a central location in the heart of the city, a move that required careful investment and planning.

Shmueli spoke about the challenges of operating the restaurant in London in an interview held about a year ago, against the backdrop of protests around the world against Israel:

"We don't have an Israeli flag at the entrance. There are even good reviews of the restaurant here and there, so there were some who wrote: 'The restaurant is excellent, keep in mind that it is an Israeli restaurant'."

Shmueli described:

"It was not pleasant to see a demonstration of 100,000 people marching to 'Free Palestine' every two weeks. I arrive here every morning and I say thank you because we have huge windows and huge glass, it's easy to throw a few stones at it and finish the story."

The separation from the Claro brand does not mark the end of Shmueli's professional path. The chef will continue to own and lead the Maarava events complex located in Kibbutz Ga'ash. In parallel with his activity there, it was learned by N12 that Shmueli is already working these days on developing a new culinary project, the details of which have not yet been revealed.