Israeli Chef Assaf Granit Launches New Gelato Shop Licouk in Paris

Israeli chef Assaf Granit, known for his culinary ventures abroad, is taking a surprising new direction by opening a gelato shop named Licouk in Paris. This marks a departure from his usual restaurants and food trucks, as Licouk will specialize in authentic Italian gelato and sorbetto served in traditional small containers that preserve the airy texture and freshness. The shop will be located near Granit's flagship Paris restaurant, Mako, and is part of the expansion of his culinary group, Machneyuda.

Licouk’s basic flavors confirmed so far include vanilla, chocolate, and pistachio, with expectations of more playful flavors inspired by Jerusalem cuisine, reflecting Granit’s signature style. The name Licouk fits the humorous naming pattern of Granit's Paris establishments, which also include Balagan and Shabour.

Despite Granit's previously expressed dislike for desserts and sweets, this new venture signals a lighter, more accessible direction compared to his Michelin-starred fine dining restaurants. Granit and his partner Uri Navon have built a notable presence in Paris, with Shabour earning the first Michelin star ever awarded to an Israeli-owned restaurant in France in January 2021. To date, Granit’s restaurants have accumulated around six Michelin stars.

The announcement of Licouk comes amid a turbulent period for Granit, who has recently faced negative headlines related to employee disputes and controversial remarks during a new season of the cooking competition show "MasterChef." Nevertheless, Granit appears undeterred and continues to grow his culinary empire in Paris.