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Smithtown's Culinary Goddess - Elegant Eating's Myra Naseem
Saturday, March 23, 2013 at 8:53AM
What’s Cookin’? – Smithtown
By Nancy Vallarella
MYRA NASEEM of ELEGANT EATING
The readers have spoken. Hands down, the reader’s choice for the Culinary Goddess you would like to know more about is Myra Naseem of Elegant Eating. This is the perfect time to honor Myra and Elegant Eating for they have reached their 25th year of doing business. When asked if there would be a celebration, Myra laughed and responded, “We haven’t even gotten around to having a grand opening yet”.
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Two and a half years ago, over the phone, I had the pleasure of speaking with Myra for the first time. We were discussing Elegant Eating’s participation in Taste of Smithtown’s 2011 event. Myra’s warmth and enthusiasm emanated as she discussed the possibilities of serving small plates of short ribs on a bed of parsnip infused mashed potatoes, shrimp ceviche and many more delectable delicacies. I nearly cried with joy, as any foodie would and eagerly anticipated attending the event. My expectations were very high not just for the food but in meeting Myra.
Upon arriving at the event it, Elegant Eating’s station was evident. Beautiful displays of assorted finger foods and small plates emitting delicious aromas that seduced attendees over to their table. I immediately identified the short ribs deftly served by Chef Roberto and a few feet over a hollowed out pumpkin filled the best shrimp ceviche I ever had. Then it hit me, the root of all expectations – heartache – no Myra. At that moment I was cordially approached by Myra’s business partner Neil Schumer.
With great care Neil walked me through the Elegant Eating’s menu for that evening offering samples along the way. While feasting on fork tender short ribs and other melt in your mouth goodies he told me the story of how Elegant Eating was born. It became apparent that Elegant Eating was not a typical business. It is a family with members full of passion and compassion built upon the loving act of a mother – Mama Myra.
Born and raised in Patchogue, Long Island, Myra’s childhood vacations included trips to upstate New York to visit with her grandparents. Her grandfather owned a large bakery that provided goods to the public and the hotels in the Catskills. She recalls one summer; “a special pastry chef from New York City” came to stay with them. The bakers were all male back then except for her grandmother who Myra would observe stretching dough over the family’s large kitchen table. She would watch them all with fascination but no one showed her how to do anything. Years later Myra realized her grandmother was preparing dough for strudel. Myra and her family moved to Smithtown in 1960.
Myra went on to attend college at SUNY Oneonta and returned home with a B.S. in Home Economics to find a teaching job in the very high school she graduated from, Patchogue High School. After teaching home economics there for two years, she pursued a masters degree at NYU, married, went to England, gave birth to two daughters, divorced and in 1969 Myra resumed her profession as a home economics teacher in Hauppauge followed by Central Islip from 1971 – 1995.
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While teaching home economics at Central Islip High School, Myra the single parent of two girls planned for her oldest daughter’s Bat Mitzvah. She wanted to maintain the tradition of baking the birthday cake for her daughters and asked the caterer if she could. He obliged her request and found Myra making all sorts of things in the kitchen with his staff. He hired Myra on the spot. The following Saturday , she found herself back in Smithtown at Temple Beth Shalom’s kitchen working with the caterer’s staff and her daughters Lyla and Kaneez manning the coat check. This is where Myra met her future business partner Neil Schumer who also worked part time for that caterer while attending college.
Neil began working with Myra as she took a leap of faith, bought insurance and set out on her own. Elegant ;)
Myra and GisselleEating was born. Elegant Eating first occupied a store front in Stony Brook. Then in 1999 Myra and Neil purchased the Smithtown building they do business in today. The number of employees grew; some fell in love, were married and had children. It is not uncommon for employees to move on only to return years later. Myra’s oldest daughter, Lyla married and had a daughter, Gisselle, who calls her grandmother – Mama Myra.
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Cooking Class At Elegant EatingMyra Naseem is the matriarch/boss of Elegant Eating. Her tastes have successfully met the palate of Elegant Eating’s clientele for nearly 30 years. Clients have become friends and many have become family. When asked, who made dinner? They respond, “Myra!” All of Elegant Eating’s dishes are served with a side of soul nurturing.
Myra is always looking for an excuse to cook for others and has grown that opportunity by hosting cooking classes several times a month. “Once a teacher, always a teacher.” she says proudly and has many other things to tell people while she is here. Her advice for women embarking in their own business…”If you are willing to put the time and effort into it, anything is possible.” – Myra is living proof!
You can find Elegant Eating on the Web, Facebook and easily access them through Smithtown Matter’s Restaurant and Food Guide.
Reader Comments (16)
Great article on Myra Naseem! Elegant Eating is such a wonderful caterer. I have eaten their food at many parties and it is always wonderful - delicious and beautifully presented.
Myra is the ultimate Culinary Goddess of Long Island! Elegant Eating is the best caterer! I have enjoyed their food at many occasions! The food is always delicious and gorgeous!!! They also host informative and fun cooking class. Wonderful article.
I am not surpised to hear such wonderful things about Myra and Elegant Eating. Having worked for many caterers i find myself in awe with them. The most professional people and food thats melts in your mouth, i find myself wishing i had found them 25 ye
ll deserved article!
Happy Anniversary to Myra, Neil and everyone at Elegant Eating!! We've known them for many years, have had important events and holidays catered by Myra and Neil, and can say with 100% honesty and certainty that there is none better. Culinary Goddess - absolutely! Besides the food being just wonderful, they treat everyone with warmth and love and we are privileged and honored to be included in the Elegant Eating "family".
We have had the pleasure of working with Myra, Neil and their staff for many years. Congrats to you Myra. Elegant Eating is the best and truly professional and sooooo delicious. What an honor Myra and very much deserved and earned. Wishing you many more wonderful years in a profession you really shine in.
The Best to Myra and Neil, delicious food with great presentation. Many more years to you both doing what you love.
I have known Myra for many years and she is a Mentor, Role Model and Friend, all rolled into one. I am so excited to see her get the accolades that she deserves. Going from a single mother of 2, teaching HS Home Ec, to visioning, creating and running a full service Off Premise Catering Company takes more than luck and a dream. It takes dedication, fortitude, experience and most of all, LOVE! Through Elegant Eating, Myra represents the best of old school hospitality, when customer service came with direct eye contact, a caring smile, and a "we never say no" attitude. Forget Oprah Winfrey, Myra Naseem is "every woman!"
Great article. Happy anniversary and congratulations to Myra and Elegant Eating!! Myra, Neil, and their staff are the best. The food, the service, the presentation, the quality... unparalleled. Here's to another 25!!
to Myra & Neil
congratulations on your (25) years and for a continued long and happy union.To say that the food is good would be a gross understatment . thank you for being who you are, two wonderful people that make any dinner or party a wonderful and successful occasion.
The glowing article is certainly spot on! Happy 25th Anniversary to Elegant Eating! It has been our delight to know Myra and Neil for at least 20 of those years. Whether catering or teaching, they do it with warmth, passion, and graciousness. Such sincere and kind people who can also prepare the most delectable, fresh, and artfully presented food are a find. With pleasure, we have attended their cooking classes and many functions of all types that they have catered . Ever since having our own Thanksgiving meal prepared by them, we have never cooked it ourselves again! And, as they know, our refrigerator is always stocked with their balsamic salad dressing as there is none better!
Myra and Neil are the heart and soul of Elegant Eating. The food is out of this world and they will do anything to satisfy their customers......it's so admirable.
It’s really no wonder they have customers coming back for more year after year....they treat you like family.
The menu is constantly changing with original, creative and delicious new culinary treats. They understand parties very well and know better than you what your guest will like……we don’t go anywhere else for our party planning.
Happy 25th guys!! Hope to see you for another 25!
Happy Anniversary Elegant Eating!!!!!!! We are so excited for you guys!!!!! We'll be by soon for some yummy food!!!! xoxo
This article is so true. I have Hosted several affairs that Myra has created for me. My guests are always so happy to hear that Myra has once again done the food for us. She is wonderful. The food is out of this world and the staff is absolutely the best . How wonderful to feel like a guest at your own party. They do it all. I would recomend Elegant Eating to anyone looking for a spectacular event. Congratulations Elegant Eating for 25 Fantastic years
I have just attended a birthday that my sister hosted. The food was amazing. I asked my sister where it came from and It was from Elegant eating. I cant believe, not a week later I am reading about it in the Smithtown Matters. It was incredable. The food was delicious, the presentation was amazing and the waitstaff was so efficent that everyone enjoyed the day without having to lift a finger. Way to throw a party Sis! And Way to Go Elegant Eating. I will be calling Myra for my next party
Elegant Eating just did my wedding. It was fabulous. I and My new husband could not be happier with the food, the presention or the staff. It was every girls dream come true. My guest cant stop talking about how amazing the food was. Myra made all of this so easy for us. She took care of everything we could have needed for our special day. The waitstaff ran like a well oiled machine. Every guest was made to feel special. It was all I could have ever asked for. Myra, Thank you so much for everything you did for us. You have giving us a day we will never forget.
Wonderful article!! Congratulations Myra & Neil on 25 years of Exceptional Culinary Artistry! (that includes Garden Franks)!