Israelis love hamburgers in every way, shape and form, but you know what they say – there's always room for more. This healthy appetite has not escaped the captains of the US-based Hardee's hamburger chain, which operates thousands of branches around the world and soon, hamburger lovers nationwide will have something new and juicy to sink their teeth into.

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The origins of the chain date back to the 1940s, when Carl Karcher set up a humble hotdog stand in Los Angeles. In the 1960s, Karcher opened up the first branch of the Carl's Jr. hamburger chain in California, and it has been growing ever since.

Today, the CKE Restaurants Holdings fast-food corporation serves as the parent organization for the Carl's Jr. and Hardee's chains, as well as several other successful brands. It has locations in 44 states in the US and in 43 countries worldwide and plans to see its Israeli branch join its 4,000 branches in North, Central and South America, Asia, Europe, Africa, and Australia.

The company, in cooperation with the Commercial Service Department at the US Embassy in Israel, plans to hold a conference for potential Israeli investors and franchisees in December, affording them an opportunity to join the successful fast-food company.

Israelis have their choice of burger joints, but Hardee's entrance into the country is more than welcome. First, the chain is aware of and believes in Israel's successful reputation in the restaurant scene. Second, Israel is the only country in the Middle East that does not yet have a Hardee's branch and it is definitely about time it does. And third – and perhaps most importantly – the chain can adapt itself to the Israeli palate perfectly, just as it has done in many other countries in the region.

"There are two things that lead the Hardee's chain from day one, and they are undoubtedly responsible for its success – quality and innovation," Geoff Spear, who heads Hardee's operations across the Middle East and Africa, told Israel Hayom.

During a visit to four of the chain's branches in Dubai, Spear showed me how these principles work in practice, from the food production lines in its compact and smart restaurants, through meticulous observance of hygiene and health codes, to advanced means of deliveries in the post-COVID era.

According to Hardee's Vice President of International Franchise Sales and Development Marc Mushkin, an analysis of the market potential in Israel shows that at least 50 restaurants can be opened in the coming years.

The data, he said, is in line with Hardee's successful expansion into other markets in the region. However, Israel is considered unique in light of its strong middle class and its open and dynamic society.

"We are looking for suitable candidates with operational and economic capabilities to establish 10-15 branches – at least during the exclusive development agreement phase."

Good news for popular fast food restaurants' fans and business potential aside, Hardee's offers a taste of a wide array of interesting foods, chief among them – you guessed it – is the hamburger.

This is fast food for all intents and purposes, but the quality is reflected in the fact that Hardee's uses 100% premium Angus beef. Hardee's customers do not pay extra for premium burgers, simply because that is the only type the chain offers. The big, meaty burgers are grilled to perfection before they join soft, plump buns that are also slightly charred on the grill. There is no doubt that even though this is fast food, the quality of the product exceeds many of the chain's competitors, simply because of its determined adherence to excellent ingredients.

Another great highlight is the French fries, which probably embody the most delicious news for the Israeli audience. Anyone who doesn't quite understand how French fries can still be a surprise in 2021 simply must try the range of fried potatoes the chain offers – each tastier than the other.

Beyond the "regular" French fries, which are also very good, Hardee's also offers skin-on French fries for those who prefer them and – the real highlight – crispy curls. These delicious curly fries are made of premium quality potatoes that are double-fired and are served with chili powder and salt. This was the first side dish to hit our table and it was devoured in minutes. The perfect thickness of the cut joins an amazing texture and if there is one product that we really lack in this country, it is this one.

Another menu item Hardee's prides itself on is its thick, rich milkshakes, and with good reason. Here, too, the chain does not skimp or compromise: The luscious milkshakes are made from real ice cream, syrup and milk, and the huge difference from any other fast food shake is immediately noticeable.

Something for everyone

The breakfast menu is one of Hardee's specialties. It offers chicken wraps, pancakes, and hash browns, to name a few. But before the very successful tasting we enjoyed, I was interested in how the chain plans to adapt to the Israeli audience, who are not crazy about heavy breakfasts and prefer vegetables and eggs.

The issue of kashrut also came up, but Spear said he's not worried about the adjustment that the chain will have to make for the Holy Land, saying the chain has already successfully adapted it menu to suit customers in many places around the world.

"In Muslim countries, the meat is halal [food is that adheres to Islamic law provisions], and there is no problem to make sure it is kosher as well," he explained. "There are countries where the preference is brioche buns and others where challah rolls are in demand. In the UAE, the French fries are skin-on but in Egypt they're not because they don't like it. In Pakistan, the French fries are much spicier than in other countries. In Israel, too, we will adapt ourselves to the target audience, whether it's kosher needs or the specific taste of the Israeli audience."

Hardee's entry into Israel in the post-coronavirus era has another big advantage, namely the fact that it is no stranger to the concepts of take-away and deliveries. Hardee's boasts an excellent and easy-to-operate app, online tracking of the deliveries, special independent order stations, and successful collaborations with food delivery companies. Apart from the familiar drive-through option, Hardee's also offers a carhop service where a waiter delivers the meal to your car in minutes.

Food deliveries are made using special advanced packaging, which maintains both the product temperature and maximum hygiene, ensuring food safety.

You can't talk about Hardee's without mentioning the company's bold branding, which adds another important dimension to the company's quality and innovation – fun!

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The on-site design of the branches and the slogans they feature are all aimed at another important goal the company seeks to achieve – the successful restaurant experience for its patrons.

Here, no one expected diners to keep it clean. On the contrary –messy hands and chins are the hallmark of a great eating experience. "Fast, noisy, messy – don't stop yourself, go all in!" the signs in the branches smile to customers, and you can't help but smile back at them, with a face stained with sauces and joy.

Raz Israeli was Hardee's guest in Dubai.

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Israel Hayom's entertainment correspondent in Los Angeles David Caspi has been chosen this year to become a member at the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, which conducts the prestigious annual Golden Globe Awards that honors notable examples of film and television and achievements in entertainment businesses.

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The HFPA was founded in 1943 and is a nonprofit organization of journalists and photographers who report on the entertainment industry activity and interests in the United States for media outlets outside the US. It currently consists of about 90 members from 55 countries with a combined following of more than 250 million

Caspi is the first Israeli in the last 50 years to join the HFPA and will hold his position for the next 10 years. 

Caspi has been with Israel Hayom for almost a decade and has reported on events in the City of Angels, including major award ceremonies, like the Oscars, Grammy, and Emmy Awards, and has interviewed hundreds of well-known actors and musicians, including Lady Gaga, Vin Diesel, Robert De Niro, Julia Roberts, and Gal Gadot.

Caspi joined The Hollywood Reporter in 2013, the first Israeli to do so. A year later he also began to write for the leading music and entertainment magazine Billboard. His articles have also appeared in Rolling Stone.

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A pride month ad was vandalized with a swastika in Tel Aviv Tuesday. Local supermarket chain am:pm distributed its ads across the city as part of its campaign calling for tolerance and inclusion.

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Ironically, the slogan of the campaign, also printed on the posters, is "If no one vandalizes this poster, it is a sign what we have made progress."

Despite Tuesday's event, the campaign has been well-received by residents and social media in general. A representative of the chain told Israel Hayom that the ad was not meant to offend anyone, but to represent their urban and diverse customers.

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The coronavirus pandemic and the ongoing conflict in Gaza notwithstanding, Israeli contestant Eden Alene took the stage Tuesday night at the 2021 Eurovision Song Contest and made it to the final. 

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"I feel like I'm going to explode because of the excitement," she said after the first semi-final. "I'm so happy for my country because we deserve this. We've been through so much. And I'm so happy!"

Alene broke the all-time record for the highest note in Eurovision history, hitting a B6 whistle note in her song Set Me Free. 

The singer was scheduled to represent Israel at the contest in 2020 with Feker Libi, a song written, among others, by famous Israeli singer Idan Raichel, in four languages – English, Hebrew, Amharic and Arabic. The competition was canceled due to the outbreak of the pandemic.

Israel hosted the Eurovision in 2019 in Tel Aviv after singer Netta Barzilai's win the year before with her pop anthem Toy, Israel's fourth win in the contest.

Alene will perform again at the grand final, scheduled to take place on May 22. We are all rooting for Eden.

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In addition to Oscars for best actor and best director, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences also gives out awards for categories involving science and technology. This year, an Israeli team won an Academy Award  in the Scientific and Engineering category for developing a wireless video technology, the academy announced Tuesday.

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The winners are Prof. Meir Feder of the Iby and Aladar Fleischman Faculty of Engineering at Tel Aviv University and Dr. Zvi Reznic, co-founders of the startup Amimon, and the start-up's senior executives, Guy Dorman and Ron Yogev.

Amimon's technology allows video shots of very high quality from a number of cameras to be transmitted in real time to monitors, allowing the director and crew full control of all shooting angles simultaneously. Feder said that the technology was already used throughout the global film industry.

"We developed the basic technology in 2004-2005 when everyone thought that the task was very difficult or even impossible," Feder said. "We knew that it was a real technological achievement, but never imagined we would win the Oscar for it.

"About a year ago, the Prize Committee notified us that we had been nominated, but I thought it was just a gimmick. About a month ago, I suddenly got an official email from the Academy in Hollywood, informing us that we had won the Oscar.

"We were elated. I have won many academic awards, but the Oscar is certainly the most famous, an award that every person in the street knows. For me and for the great team who took part in developing the technology, this is an enormous achievement, and I feel very proud."

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Israeli celebrity chef Assaf Granit has just won one of the most coveted accolades in the culinary world – a Michelin star for his Paris restaurant, Shabour.

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The 2021 Michelin guide book was published Monday

Shabour opened its doors approximately a year and a half ago and became a hit with customers and critics.

Granit is the first Israeli chef to win a Michelin star. However this is not the first time he has become a darling of Paris – in 2018 he was named the city's best chef, and in 2019 the mayor noted his contribution to the Paris gastronomy scene.

In addition to Shabour, Granit owns restaurants in Israel and London.

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The mural, often criticized as sexist, was removed by a municipal worker with a paint roller from the exterior wall of a women's changing room. The image showed two young men in bathing suits peering inside.

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Painted 18 years ago by artist Rami Meiri, the mural was a nod to the beach's name – "Metzizim", Hebrew for "Peeping Toms" – identical to the title of a 1972 Israeli cult film about a lifeguard who spies on his friends' sexual escapades at the seashore.

The mural, located at what the Lonely Planet guide describes as "actually a family-friendly beach" on the Mediterranean, had previously survived defacement by women's rights groups, which complained that sexual assault cases in Israel are not prosecuted thoroughly.

But Tel Aviv Mayor Ron Huldai said on Sunday it was time for the painting to go in the wake of the gruesome sexual assault against the teenage girl at Eilat, on the Red Sea, on Aug. 12.

"Freedom of expression and the arts are important values in our city, but because the painting was seen as acceptance of a forbidden and criminal act, we have decided to say goodbye to it," Huldai wrote on Twitter.

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The show will be filmed and produced in Israel and the United States by Israeli students and creators and will appear on Netflix.

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The initiative began nearly half a year ago when a delegation of Israeli students visited Hollywood and met with Vice President of Content Acquisition at Netflix Larry Tanz.

"The positive impression the students left on Tanz did the job," said Studio Free Media director Dekel Sharur, who led the delegation.

According to Sharur, the Israeli students also met with Joseph Bechor, the owner of WonderWorks Films, which produces dozens of movies and shows for Netflix.

Bechor, the son of Israelis who grew up in Los Angeles, not only extended his help to the Israeli students but also arranged for the next delegation, which is already in the works, to meet with his friend, Jewish-British actor Sacha Baron Cohen.

"Bechor surprised us after he came away impressed with the students: 'You know what,' he told us, 'Netflix just ordered an eight-part series from me about the ultra-orthodox community in Israel. Let's start working on it together,'" Sharur told Israel Hayom.

The students began work began preparing for the new series this week.

"Down the road, we will integrate new students who are interested in working for the biggest studios in the world, via the platform we've established especially for Israeli creators," said Sharur.

"This platform ensures that this is merely the first series on the way to many more for Netflix, to be written by Israeli film and communications students. It's important for me to mention that in the case of Tanz and Bechor, these are two Jewish guys who love Israel and wholeheartedly support original Israeli productions in Hollywood."

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"Diva" ranked 14 by the Italian publication, but did not make the cut for a similar list published by the US-based magazine.

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The magazine rated the 15 most significant gay songs in the past 50 years to mark the 50th anniversary of the 1969 Stonewall – a series of spontaneous, violent demonstrations by members of the LGBTQ community against the New York Police Department over manifestations of homophobia and brutality against the community.

The events inspired the first gay pride marches, which took place in New York, Los Angeles, and San Francisco in June 1970.

Rolling Stone Italia named Gloria Gaynor's timeless classic "I Will Survive" (1978) as the best pride song of all times.

Madonna's 1990 mega-hit "Vogue" ranked second, followed by Lady Gaga's "Born this Way."

Queen's iconic tune "I Want to Break Free" was ranked fourth, and Italian pop sensation Raffaella Carrà's "Fiesta" rounded up the top five.

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Piven, known for his role as agent Ari Gold in the hit series "Entourage," is slated to take the stage in Jerusalem on Jan. 12; in Tel Aviv for two shows on Jan. 13, and at Kibbutz Lehavot Haviva in northern Israel on Jan. 14.

Israel Hayom has learned that a film crew will be accompanying Piven to document his tour of Israel, both on stage and behind the scenes. As is common with stand-up specials of this kind, the audience will also be filmed, so anyone attending could catch a glimpse of him or herself in the final cut.

Piven, 53, last visited Israel in 2016. He posted pictures to social media of himself at the Western Wall, where he celebrated a "second bar mitzvah."

At the end of 2017, Piven was accused of several incidents of sexual harassment. He denied the allegations and even passed a polygraph.

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