This week we go “Drinking With” with the lovely Eden Grinshpan, a television personality also known as EdenEats. A graduate of Le Cordon Bleu in London, Eden is best know for her love of both food, travel and her rolling garment bag, which she brought together for her Cooking Channel shows Eden Eats and Log On and Eat with Eden Grinshpan, a traveling show across the United States, and for her appearances as a judge on Chopped Canada and on VH1 Big Morning Buzz live with Nick Lachey.
And while Eden may be know for her food-loving, she is also a fans of all things drinks. Let’s go “Drinking With” Eden!
When was the first time that you got properly tipsy and what were you drinking?
The first time I got tipsy I was in Eilat, Israel. I went there for a weekend trip with my cousin and a couple of our best friends. We bought a bottle to tequila and just decided to go for it. A girl in the group heard that if you jump on the bed while you drank you would get tipsy faster. So we pretty much did that and I ended up smashing my head into my cousins braces. Yikes.
What is your favorite place to hang out over a drink or 3?
I am a huge fan of Attaboy. The owner Sammy has been a good friend of mine for years. He makes the best cocktails in the city and I have spent many nights there just hanging with him at the bar while he works his magic.
What is your go-to drink order?
It changes based on the season. In the winter, I love a Manhattan, Old Fashioned or Sazerac. In the summer, I love a Dirty Martini, Jungle Bird, or a classic margarita. I love a good cocktail, so there are many that I am leaving out.
Do you drink coffee or tea? Where do you go, how do you drink it and how many times a day/week?
I drink both, but mostly I am a coffee girl. I usually always get an Americano with a little milk. I live beside Marlow and Sons in Brooklyn and they have a great Americano. Other spots I frequent are Cafe Colombe, Devocion, and Toby’s Estate Coffee.
You are/have been on a number of TV shows from the Cooking Channel, VH1 Big Morning Buzz and the Chopped Canada – how did you get started in the biz?
I went to culinary school right out of high school. I was so obsessed with cooking but knew very little. I worked part time in kitchens and went to school in London for 2 years. After graduating, I went backpacking through India and South East Asia. I made a video of myself re-opening a cafe in an orphanage in India and brought that with me when I moved to NYC. That video was my ticket into the television world.
Where do you take out-of-towners for cocktails for an “Only in NY” experience?
Attaboy, Nitecap, Donna and Maison Premiere
Strictly for the lovers, what is your favorite spot for a date night drink?
Attaboy and Maison Premiere are always a good time. My husband and I love oysters so we have spent our last 2 birthdays at Maison Premiere.
What’s your favorite brunch (better known as day drinking) spot in NYC?
12 chairs Brooklyn– literally feels like a home away from home. We bring our dog, sit outside and eat everything on the menu. Also love Vic’s. They have a great brunch and have such a relaxed cool vibe.
Best meal pairing experience you ever had?
Just went to Niagara-On-The-Lake (editors note: in Canada) and went on back to back wine tastings. The wine and cheese pairings they put together were out of control.
What is your hangover remedy?
An Israeli breakfast – eggs, labaneh, pita, hummus- tons of water-strong coffee and then a huge glass of lemon water.
With all those eating adventures, how do you stay in such great shape?
I try to eat in moderation. When I am out eating I will always try everything, but I am a big fan of sharing. Also, when I am home, my husband and I cook a lot and tend to eat mostly vegetarian. I feel the best after lots of greens.
Any tips for readers to capture the perfect Instagram drinks photo to get those likes up?
Natural light! Obviously that is hard since you drink at night but natural light is the best. If you can’t get that, have someone use the flashlight on their phone to light up the dish and then use your camera with no flash to take the pic. I also like to lighten the pics up with the app- after light
Special shout to any drinks makers out there?
Sam Ross from Attaboy and Natasha David from Nitecap – my peeps.
What are you most proud of in your career thus far?
EdenEats will forever be my baby. It’s a show I created with my friend Samantha Schutz, DP, Director and EP of EdenEats. We had the best time creating it and it was definitely the most authentic and personal show I have ever worked on.
Do you have a mentor or someone you look up to?
As far as television chefs go. Jamie Oliver is the man! Everything he does has so much purpose and his talent is incredible. Rachel Ray is such a powerhouse – and for chefs – Yotam Ottolenghi is my everything!
Any advice for aspiring food / drink media personalities?
Be authentic and never give up. This industry is all about people and persistence.
Spill it ….what are you working on right now?
I am waiting to hear back about a couple food shows that I am really excited about…can’t say anything yet!. Just wrapped Chopped Canada and working on my blog – many fun collaborations and web content being posted on www.EdenEats.com
Social Call – Keep Up with Eden Grinshpan
- Blog- edeneats.com
- Instagram – @edeneats_
- Periscope – edeneats
- snapchat – edeneats
- and now wine’n dine – EdenEats
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