Japanese Offended as PM Shinzo Abe and Wife Akie Abe Served Dessert in Shoe During Israel visit (View Pictures)
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and his wife Akie Abe were in Israel on May 2 for their second official visit when they dined with the country's PM Benjamin Netanyahu and wife Sara Netanyahu.
Would you like if a shoe were put on your dining table? What if the shoe was killer of a dessert made by Israel Prime Minister's celebrity private chef? Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and his wife Akie Abe were in Israel on May 2 for their second official visit when they dined with the country's PM Benjamin Netanyahu and wife Sara Netanyahu. After a day filled with high-level meetings, the hosts treated their guests to a festive meal at Netanyahu's official residence, however, some table etiquettes did not impress them.
Celebrity Israeli chef Segev Moshe cooked up a storm for the highly diplomatic visit and finished the gourmet with a chocolate praline served inside two shiny leather shoes. Not many cultures would accept a shoe on the dining table and Japanese who hold traditions close to their heart, was not in praise of it.
On Sunday, Segev posted pictures of the shoe-filled dessert on his Instagram account, writing: "Chocolate selection from the world by #SegevArt".
His Instagram account reveals that he has also served US president Donald Trump and his wife Melania Trump during their Israel visit. Here are the pictures:
A report quoted a senior Israel diplomat as saying, "There is nothing more despised in Japanese culture than shoes. Not only do they not enter their houses while wearing shoes, you will not find shoes in their offices either. Even the prime minister, ministers and members of parliament do not wear shoes to work." The award-winning chef is also a restaurateur, author and television personality, the report said.
The Jerusalem Post quoted a diplomat as saying, "No culture puts shoes on the table. What precisely was this illustrious chef Segev thinking? If this is meant to be humour, we do not find it funny. I can tell you that we are offended for our prime minister." There were of the opinion that the presentation ruined the dish. Israel’s Foreign Ministry said it was not involved in approving the dishes for the meal.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on May 09, 2018 09:31 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).