Contest of Culturally and Religiously Compliant Products 2025
Kosher Product Competition

JUDGING PROCESS

ROUND ONE: Preliminary Evaluation
In the first round, entries are reviewed and ranked in a closed, online system based on the submitted documentation.
In each category, the bottom 30% of entries based on this ranking will not advance to the second round.

ROUND TWO: Final Evaluation
All eligible products are evaluated by the jury using a point-based system.
During the judging process, the expert panel assesses the products through sensory evaluation along with a review of the submitted documentation. Products are scored based on taste, flavor harmony, aroma, texture, and composition, compared against the information provided in the product specification sheets.

Packaging is also evaluated, considering factors such as clarity and accuracy of information and labels, visibility, practicality, and design. Additionally, the jury considers the product’s social impact or usefulness.
Each aspect is scored individually by the jury members on a scale of 1 to 10. The final list of award-winning products is determined based on the total aggregated scores.

The jury may create additional subcategories within the main competition categories to reflect the diversity of entries, or it may reassign a product to a more appropriate category.
Depending on the overall quality of submissions, the jury may award multiple prizes in a single category or present special awards for products with outstanding or noteworthy features. However, the jury also reserves the right to withhold awards in any category.

In case of any disputes, the final decision rests with the Chair of the Jury.

JURY MEMBERS

Chair of the Jury:
Lívia Ledniczky – Director, MERKAZ – Hebrew and Israeli Cultural Center and Deputy General Director of the Lauder Javne Jewish Community School, responsible for Jewish community life and Judaic studies education

Jury Members:
Moran Birman – Deputy Ambassador of the State of Israel to Hungary
Nir Spitz – Executive Chef at Thomas Franks EU and Franchise owner at HummusBar Budapest
Ágnes Vándor – Managing Director, Professional Publishing Hungary Ltd.
Mercédesz Deutsch-Fehérváry – rebbetzin, food blogger

Lívia Ledniczky

Director; Deputy General Director

Hebrew and Israeli Cultural Center, MERKAZ; Lauder Javne Jewish Community School

Lívia holds degrees in history and art history, with a strong interest in mathematics. Her doctoral research focuses on the use of kinetic graphs in source studies. Early in her career, she worked on setting up archival, record-keeping, and library systems, later participating in museum and educational programs in Cyprus and Israel.
In 2021, during the midst of the Covid period, she renewed the Israeli Cultural Institute as Program Director. The institute was founded 13 years ago to foster Israeli cultural relations and bilateral cultural dialogue. Later, as Director, she worked on rebranding, and today the institute—now known as MERKAZ – Hebrew and Israeli Cultural Center—is a member of the European Union National Institutes for Culture (EUNIC). (“Merkaz” means “center” in Hebrew.)
Since early September, she has been continuing her career as Deputy General Director of the Lauder Javne Jewish Community School, responsible for Jewish community life and Judaic studies education.

Mercédesz Deutsch-Fehérváry

rebbetzin, food blogger

Mercédesz Deutsch-Fehérváry (Merci) is a kosher food blogger and the author of the cookbook Kosher – The Deutsch Family Kitchen. As a rabbi’s wife (rebbetzin) and community builder, she offers a unique insight into the world of traditional Jewish cuisine and lifestyle. She cooks with passion and conveys love through her recipes to her followers. A genuine voice in gastronomy, she presents kosher dining in a modern form, while inviting everyone to gather around the table who is open to traditions, values, and, of course, great flavors.

Moram Birman

Deputy Chief of Mission

Israeli Embassy in Budapest

Moran Birman currently serves as the Deputy Chief of Mission at the Israeli Embassy in Budapest since August 2022. His Portfolio includes political affairs, media, economy and cultures among others. Prior to this position Mr. Birman was part of the North America Division at the Foreign Ministry in Jerusalem, working on the US Consulates and Canada desk. His previous diplomatic posting was Consul for Public Diplomacy at the Consulate General of Israel to the Midwest, based in Chicago from 2016 to 2020. In this position, his portfolio included Jewish Community, media and cultural affairs in 9 US states. Birman came to Chicago from Philadelphia where he served as Deputy Consul General at the Consulate of Israel to the Mid-Atlantic Region. Birman’s diplomatic postings in the United States follow several years in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' North America Division in Jerusalem. Birman has been a diplomat since 2014.
Before becoming a cadet, Birman was a lawyer focusing on litigation, antitrust, and communication law with leading law firms in Tel Aviv. He is a graduate of Hebrew University of Jerusalem with a LL.B., Faculty of Law degree.
Mr. Birman is native to Sha’ar Hagolan, a Kibbutz in northern Israel. He served in Israel’s Air Force for three years.

Nir Spitz

Executive Chef; Franchise owner

Thomas Franks EU; HummusBar Budapest

An energetic and results-driven Chef with over two decades of international culinary experience, he consistently strives for excellence in dynamic, high-pressure kitchens without compromising quality. Trained at two top culinary institutions in Israel, he has worked across Israel, France, Belgium, and Hungary, including a position at the prestigious two-Michelin-starred ‘t Zilte in Antwerp. His career has spanned from Commis de Cuisine to Executive Chef, managing staff, developing menus, overseeing food costs, and leading kitchen operations for major restaurants and hospitality groups. With expertise in Mediterranean, French, and Middle Eastern cuisines, he blends cultural influences into innovative, high-quality dishes. Today, he serves as Executive Chef with Thomas Franks, where he continues to push boundaries in culinary creativity, sustainability, and service. He is also passionate about connecting with guests through culinary storytelling, local ingredients, and immersive dining and teaching experiences.

PROFESSIONAL PARTNER:

OFFICIAL TECHNICAL PARTNER:

CONTACT:

Event Coordination:
Sajermann Zsófia
[email protected]

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