Chef Gal Ben-Moshe to Leave Pastel After Four Years, Teddy Kagan to Take Over

Michelin-starred chef Gal Ben-Moshe will step down at the end of this month from Pastel, the Tel Aviv restaurant he has led for the past four years, in a joint decision with the owners. He is moving on to new projects in Prague. The departure also closes his first major culinary chapter in Tel Aviv, after he previously shut his Michelin-starred restaurant in Berlin about six months ago.

During his tenure, Ben-Moshe shaped Pastel around a distinctive culinary style that emphasized local ingredients and high-end techniques. The restaurant said his replacement will be Teddy Kagan, who currently served as Pastel’s operational chef and has worked closely with Ben-Moshe for years. Kagan will become the head chef of both Pastel and its sister venue, Grace.

The change comes ahead of a new menu launch at Pastel, which the restaurant describes as part of the natural evolution of its kitchen. Grace, presented as Pastel’s creative playground, will continue operating as a hybrid space for culinary talent, collaborations, and special projects.

Pastel owner Itzik Hangel praised Ben-Moshe as “much more than a chef,” calling him a mentor and a guiding figure for the team. He said Ben-Moshe helped build a strong kitchen, trained a new generation of staff, and maintained high standards despite difficult periods. Ben-Moshe said he was grateful for Hangel’s trust and creative freedom, and said he was leaving with a sense of fulfillment, knowing the restaurant is in “excellent hands.”