Dr. Uri Mayer-Chissick is a historian of medicine and nutrition in the Levant, a consultant for community health, and a leading expert on edible wild plants and local culinary traditions. He is the founder of the Center for Health Leadership, an educational hub dedicated to connecting food, health, and community.
Academic & Professional Background
Uri holds a PhD in the history of medicine and nutrition from the University of Haifa, where his research explored nutrition and medical practice in the medieval Middle East. Over the years, he has taught at universities in Israel and Europe, including the University of Haifa, Tel Aviv University, and the University of Freiburg (Germany).
He also serves on national food and nutrition committees, contributing his expertise to policy and standards development.
Books & Publications
Uri has written four books on:
- Wild plant gathering
- Local food traditions
- Ancient regional medicine
- Fermentation
He continues to publish widely on nutrition, natural medicine, and the cultural history of food.
What We Offer
- Courses & Workshops: Online fermentation, healthy cooking, and history of Middle-Eastern medicine courses available to diverse audiences worldwide.
- Culinary Experiences: Intimate gourmet meals that showcase local and seasonal ingredients of the Levant.
- Foraging & Wild Foods: Tours, workshops, and meals that explore the edible plants around us and their cultural significance.
- Recipes & Stories: Articles, recipes, and food traditions shared on this website, offering practical ways to connect history, health, and the kitchen.
- Consulting: Advising communities, organizations, families and schools on health, food culture, and sustainable living.
The Center for Health Leadership
Through the Center for Health Leadership, Uri and his team design educational programs and initiatives that make health knowledge accessible across cultures and communities. The center offers workshops, courses, and projects for individuals and groups everywhere.
Personal Note
At the heart of Uri’s work is a belief that food is more than nourishment. It is culture, history, and community. Through research, teaching, and practice, he helps people rediscover this connection and apply it to building healthier lives and societies.
