Frequently Asked Questions
Payment Options?
EKK accepts cash-on-deliver (COD) or credit card payments via the ChatFood app.
Which Emirates do deliver to?
EKK delivers via the ChatFood app and Quidip delivery anywhere within Dubai. Delivery to other Emirates can be arranged with prior notice for a fee depending on location.
What time can we place orders?
Orders need at least 24 hrs notice prior to prepare orders from Sunday-Thursdays (latest 5pm). No orders will be accepted from 3pm Fridays and we are closed on Saturdays.
Shabbat orders need to be received by 5pm the Thursday prior.
Is there a minimum amount for orders?
Minimum orders are 100AED and pricing for groups is available on request.
What is the difference between Halal and Kosher?
Kosher Hebrew for “proper” or “fit” while Halal is Arabic meaning “permissible”. Kosher and halal refer to laws for food and preparation rituals and both have their roots in their respective scriptures like the Bible or Torah and the Quran respectively.
Another difference between the two is how they slaughter animals with prayers said on the first and last animal that they slaughter for kosher while Muslims who follow halal rituals say a prayer for every animal.
According to halal, any adult sane Muslim can slaughter animals but kosher only allows one kind of Rabbi, called the Sachet, specially trained for this task. Other animals like rabbit, wild hens, shellfish, duck and goose can be halal, these are not considered fit to eat under kosher laws.
Keeping kosher means keeping meat and dairy strictly separate and even includes kosher wine, Muslims recognize the source of enzymes and whether it comes from a non-Halal animal before permitting consumption and does not allow any form of alcohol.What does “Kosherati “mean?
Elli and her Emirati cooking partner have been busy experimenting with locally sourced flavors using kosher recipes to create their own Kosher/ Emirati fusion dishes. "Kosherati" refers to this intermingling derived from a mutual blend of familial respect and love for keeping a belly full and includes a combination of Ashkenazi and Sephardic recipes using Emirati spices and influence.
Does “kosher” mean a rabbi blessed the food?
There is no blessing a rabbi (or any person for that matter) can say to make food kosher. The term refers to the fact that all of the ingredients within a given product (or process of production) are Biblically and Rabbinically permitted as defined in the Torah. Although there are many, the most well-known kosher protocol involves keeping meat and dairy products separate. Kosher supervisors ensure that the process and all of the ingredients used are Kosher and Elli’s kitchen has been certified by the UAE’s first Chief Rabbi, Yehuda Sarna.
Why do Jewish people keep kosher?
Not all Jewish people observe the kosher laws. Like all denominations of faith groups, there are varying levels of leniency and stringency. These differences are based on diverse cultural backgrounds, geographic locations, and religious denominations. There are many reasons why people “keep kosher” and observe the laws of Kashrut but generally it’s because these laws have the weight of biblical commandments from their faith. This includes a system of dietary disciplines that binds them through the generations and makes them feel connected to their ancestry and strict ways of cleaning vegetables as well as sorting animal products for consumption. It is understood that Kosher is a trusted resource of eating food in the most qualified way.
Do only Jewish people keep kosher?
Recent studies show that more people outside the Jewish faith are actively seeking kosher products for health, lifestyle, and dietary reasons. Some choose to buy kosher items because they live with someone who is keeping kosher or because they have kosher observant friends and relatives and want them to feel comfortable eating in their home.
What is “Glatt kosher” and how does Kosher address concerns for more sanitary food protocols?
Recently with COVID concerns, people are turning to kosher since they appreciate the strict sanitary precautions inherent to kosher cooking like inspecting the health of every slaughtered animal and using lightboxes to check for microscopic bugs with a white muslin cloth. Animals with smooth or defect-free lungs are considered “glatt” and “glatt kosher” is often used informally to imply that a product was processed under a stricter standard of kashrut.
Are there different levels of kosher observance?
Of course! Like any religion, there are differing interpretations of the law. Some people like Elli and her family adhere to a very strict form of kosher observance, limiting their food consumption to the home and only eating food products that are held to the highest levels of kosher standards. However, there are many others who self-identify as kosher observers, and adhere to the laws in varying degrees.
How does a kitchen become kosher and why do you need 2 kitchens?
A kitchen (residential and industrial) that is not kosher can become kosher through the process of “kashering.” Ovens, stove tops, microwaves, sinks, vessels (pots and pans), silverware, and nonporous counters are all made kosher through specific techniques including cleaning, boiling water, heating (with ovens and blow torches). Since meat and dairy are meant to be kept completely separate, kosher observers like Elli actually have 2 separate kitchens, utensils and even ovens to make sure nothing crosses over by accident and has been certified by the UAE’s first Chief rabbi, Yehuda Sarna.
Why are Jewish people not permitted to mix dairy and meat products?
Historically, meat (bird or mammal skin) cannot be eaten with dairy products based on the biblical pronouncement not to cook a baby goat in its mother’s milk (Exodus 23:19, Exodus 34:26, Deuteronomy 14:21 for reference). The mixing of milk and meat is not only prohibited within a dish, but within a meal or a window of time. Separate utensils are put aside for their respective categories (meat or dairy) and Kosher establishments often serve only meat or dairy, but not both.
Are all Elli’s breads Pareve (or non-dairy)?
The challah and pita made in Elli’s kitchen are pareve.
The babka is dairy / milchik.
What if I have a food intolerance?
Given Elli’s preference for a Kosher lifestyle, she is especially considerate of intolerances and other special diets. Elli’s has been busy purposefully creating more vegan options for her website so keep an eye out for menu updates regularly. Special menus can easily be created for conferences and family groups with prior notice depending on the size of the order and items selected.
FAQs about Elli's Kosher Kitchen catering services in Dubai, UAE.
Common questions I get asked about my kosher food, products, cooking and kitchen.