Shop Talk

from Mini Magazine Spring 2018, Tia Mowry

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.