7 minute read

Shop Talk

from Mini Magazine Spring 2018, Tia Mowry

from Mini Magazine Spring 2018, Tia Mowry, page 58

Goodbye Gluten

We caught up with Eden Grinshpan—TV personality and now chef and co-founder of the soon-to-open NoLiTa Middle Eastern Fast Casual eatery, DEZ—along with her daughter Ayv, to chat all things opening a restaurant, rad rugs, raising a foodie, and of course, making time for mama in the mix.

**You can catch eden as the host of Top Chef Canada!**

MINI | Thank you for inviting us into your home! Tell us about the place! How would you describe your home

EDEN GRINSHPAN | Our taste is eclectic. We love rugs and find any excuse to buy and fill our home up with them— Persian, Moroccan, etc. We spend a lot of time in our apartment and it feels very inviting and warm to me.

MINI | Do you have a favorite room in your home?

EDEN GRINSHPAN | I would say my kitchen which is basically my kitchen/dining/ living room space. We have really tall ceilings which give such an open, airy feeling to the apartment. The kitchen is the heart of the home and we spend a lot of time cooking together.

MINI | What are some of your favorite elements in your home?

EDEN GRINSHPAN | My rugs. The silk Persian rug in my entrance was one of the first big purchases that Ido and I made. We bought it in Jerusalem. I love the rug in our bedroom— it’s big and turquoise with hot pink accent colors. It’s made out of old saris (I love that). I am also really excited about the big, round mirror we just bought for our front hall. It’s such a statement piece and really opens the space up.

MINI | Let’s talk baby! How did you decide on your daughter’s name?

EDEN GRINSHPAN | She is named after my grandfather on my dad’s side. His name was Abraham and in Hebrew, it’s Avraham. Ayv comes Avraham.

MINI | As a working mom, tell us what a typical work day looks like for you.

EDEN GRINSHPAN | My work life is not a consistent 9-5. I sometimes work from home where I test recipes and write emails, or I am in the kitchen recipe testing and scaling. I could be running around the city taking meetings; it’s always changing. When the restaurant [DEZ] opens, everything is going to change and I will be primarily there.

MINI | We’ve seen your Instagram sneak peeks! Give us the lowdown on DEZ.

EDEN GRINSHPAN | DEZ is going to be a fast casual, contemporary Middle-Eastern restaurant. The menu is very vegetarian friendly with some vegan options and a couple of meat dishes. The vibe of the space is Morocco meets LA. Lots of roasted veg, fresh salads, grilled meats, smoky spreads, and fluffy flatbreads.

MINI | What would you say is the greatest challenge of being a working mom?

EDEN GRINSHPAN | I would definitely say the guilt. I love my job so much and I am so excited for everything that is happening. It’s just hard being away from her and feeling like I am missing important moments.

MINI | What is your greatest parenting worry?

EDEN GRINSHPAN | That my babe feels like I am not home enough. I know that’s ridiculous and not true, but I think all parents feel it.

MINI | What helps you to juggle motherhood and career?

EDEN GRINSHPAN | My husband is amazing. I really feel like the luckiest girl ever. My husband is the most caring and helpful person ever, I swear he can read my mind and jumps in exactly when I need him. My parents live in Toronto which is only an hour flight which is great! My mom jumps on a plane to hang whenever she can, and obviously, having a great nanny is key!

MINI | What has been your proudest career moment to date?

EDEN GRINSHPAN | Definitely watching Eden Eats for the first time on the Cooking Channel and also announcing the opening of DEZ.

MINI | Where have you seen the biggest changes in your life since becoming a mom?

EDEN GRINSHPAN | Ido and I are in bed at 9 most nights, and asleep by 10. Honestly, Ido and I talk about it all the time. We love being in bed early and snuggling. We watch a movie and have a glass of wine. It’s so fun.

MINI | What do you think is the one thing no one really warns you about?

EDEN GRINSHPAN | Um, everything! After Ayv was born I kept saying that ”no one told me” breastfeeding was awful at the beginning. My nipples killed! The lack of sleep is actually scary— I swear I am still making up for the first six months and Ayv is almost a year old!

MINI | What is most important to you in raising your daughter?

EDEN GRINSHPAN | I want her to feel safe, happy (laughter is very important to me), and confident. I really want her to feel confident with herself and her choices in life.

MINI | What is your greatest joy of motherhood?

EDEN GRINSHPAN | Watching Ayv grow, playing with other kids, developing her personality. It’s truly the most incredible thing watching a human being evolve.

MINI | How would you describe your personal style?

EDEN GRINSHPAN | I’m a t-shirt and jeans girl. I love vintage Levi’s and I am always on the hunt for a good pair. When they fit well, everything looks good with them.

MINI | Where do you like to shop?

EDEN GRINSHPAN | I love Reformation for myself and Nature Baby for Ayv.

MINI | Let’s talk beauty. What is your skincare routine like?

EDEN GRINSHPAN | Anything natural. I am trying to buy only natural products these days, so still trying to find a natural face wash that works well.

MINI | Looking back to your first days as a mom, what advice would you give yourself?

EDEN GRINSHPAN | Stop watching the monitor! She is breathing and everything will be fine. Also... sleep! I’m a bad napper and couldn’t nap when she was napping. When I have my next baby, I will have to force myself to nap.

MINI | What are you looking forward to about raising your daughter in NYC?

EDEN GRINSHPAN | The different kinds of cuisines. I love how multicultural New York is and I can’t wait to show her all the different kinds of cuisines and foods.