Chef
Ziggy Gruber
- Discipline
- Chef
- Based in
- Houston, Texas, United States
i. Biography
His work sits in the preservation of Jewish deli tradition: formal training, family deli ownership, and long-running service at Kenny & Ziggy’s have all fed that line of practice. “Kenny & Ziggy’s isn't just about food. It’s about tradition.”
The Path
Training at Le Cordon Bleu London gave Ziggy Gruber a formal base before the line moved through the kitchens of Le Gavroche in London, England, and The Waterside Inn in London, England. The family side of the trade came through Cresthill Kosher Deli in Spring Valley, New York, where Ziggy Gruber ran Cresthill Kosher Deli with his father until 1990. That work later extended to Ziggy G's on Sunset Boulevard, California, and, since 1999, to Kenny & Ziggy's New York Delicatessen Restaurant & Bakery in Houston, alongside National Deli Month, which Ziggy Gruber co-founded in 2016.
The Work Today
At Kenny & Ziggy’s in Houston, the job is not invention for its own sake but continuity: keeping Jewish deli traditions in service, on the line, and inside an operating restaurant. Ziggy Gruber’s role there is owner and chef, with the restaurant serving as the current vessel for that practice.
Signature
Ziggy's signature dishes include mile-high corned beef and pastrami sandwiches, chopped liver, Hungarian stuffed cabbage, and chicken matzo ball soup.
In Their Words “Kenny & Ziggy’s isn't just about food. It’s about tradition.”
Profile updated July 2026
FAQ
Asked of Ziggy
What is Ziggy Gruber's current role?
As of 2026, Ziggy Gruber is Chef, Owner, and Founder.
Where did Ziggy Gruber train or study?
Ziggy Gruber trained at Le Cordon Bleu London.
What recognition has Ziggy Gruber received?
Houston Chef of the Month for March.
