83: Edy Massih

One morning this fall, Matt found himself in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, seated in the front yard of Edy’s Grocer, the remarkable deli and specialty food shop run by the amazing young entrepreneur Edy Massih, who joins him on the show today. Massih formerly worked as a caterer, and during the pandemic, he took over a storefront and began selling all sorts of delicious foods—all with a modern and exciting point of view. There’s a long list of mezze—Lebanese small plates like baba ganoush, rosy ricotta, and za’atar goat cheese—as well as harissa paste, jams, oils, and packaged spice rubs. It’s a delightful shop, cared for with the greatest eye for detail and deliciousness. We find out how the store began and how its ambitious owner is making things work during this challenging time to be running a food business. Additional reading:Edy Massih Wants to Be 'the Middle Eastern Martha Stewart' [Grub Street]The Dish: Chef Edy Massih on Lebanese roots, new shop [CBS This Morning]He Rescued an NYC Deli So He Could Share Lebanese Food With the World [The Manual]

This Is TASTE · Aliza Abarbanel & Matt Rodbard