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”.
;)
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.
;)
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.