Edy Massih Author Talk • Keep It Zesty: A Celebration of Lebanese Flavors & Culture from Edy's Grocer

Edy Massih — a chef, a caterer, and the owner of Edy’s Grocer in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. Born in Anfeh, Lebanon, he moved to Boston with his family at the age of ten. In 2016, he graduated from the Culinary Institute of America and started his successful catering business, which soon became well known for its signature Brown Paper Boards. In August 2020, Edy opened his first storefront, Edy’s Grocer, which quickly turned into a neighborhood staple and gathering place, serving great food and hosting various pop-ups, cookbook clubs, and dinner parties. Edy hopes to inspire others with a modern twist on the Lebanese flavors that captivated him as a child.

Keep It Zesty — Edy shares his personal story as well as more than 115 easy-to-follow recipes for some of his favorite dishes—traditional Lebanese fare with a modern twist. Infused with the zest and positivity he brings to everyday life, Keep It Zesty offers everything adventurous home cooks need to whip up delicious weeknight meals and entertain friends. Edy shows you how to build your own Brown Paper Board (the supersize charcuterie board of your dreams), alongside recipes for mouthwatering starters such as Orangey Date Carrot Dip and Spicy Fig Jam; showstopping breakfasts such as Rosewater Raspberry Dutch Baby and Tomato Halloumi Skillet; Za’atar Chicken Thighs and Everything Sumac Salmon with Sweetie Tahini Eggplant; Pistachio-Crusted Lamb Chops and Shawarma Chicken Taco Night to wow even the most demanding guests; and sweets and drinks, from Pistachio Halva Rice Krispies to Jallab Rosey Iced Tea. Plus, you’ll find easy tips and tricks from a one-man catering (and grocer-owning) powerhouse.

In addition to his amazing dishes, Edy includes helpful recipe charts for easy customization—accompanied by odes to Middle Eastern pantry staples, more than 100 truly stunning photographs of food and lovingly preserved family pictures, and heartwarming essays dedicated to the women who shaped him along the way.

Delightful, accessible, bursting with flavor, and full of the joy of life, this rich cookbook introduces a rising young culinary star and inspires home cooks everywhere to keep it zesty!