King Knish, San Francisco

King Knish's founder and head chef, Ramni Levy, has built his business around the knish—a traditional Jewish snack made from puff pastry stuffed with potatoes, meats, or other savory delights. Through his cooking classes and catering services, Chef Levy takes up the mantle of ambassador for the beloved Eastern European treat, whipping up small, handmade batches of flaky, chewy dumplings that burst with far more flavor and freshness than the prepackaged or frozen varieties. Calling his creations "an Old World dish with a new world twist," Chef Levy fills the dough pockets with an eclectic mix of flavors such as wasabi and potato with crystallized ginger or a play on a reuben, comprising homemade grilled corned beef, sauerkraut, and rosemary honey mustard.