Meet Eden Batki | Multi-disciplinary artist, chef, producer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Eden Batki and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Eden, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I have been running my own business since I was 22 years old, though it has evolved and changed over the years. I realized early on that working a “regular” job did not suit me and felt constricting. I didn’t have a choice in the matter. As brutal, heartbreaking, elating, and joyous it has been over the years, I still would not trade it for anything else.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I started as a photographer, cutting my teeth in New York with all of the magazines and ad agencies, landing some decent jobs for Starbucks and Free People. I worked hard but my career never got to the place I wanted it to get, or so I thought. I veered around too much with my style so I think I never found that niche for myself, or perhaps I wasn’t the bulldog I needed to be to land more jobs. I decided to switch to cooking food at a pop-up in my backyard. I enjoyed it greatly but didn’t make much money. I continued to explore other areas of food, catering, craft service, personal cheffing, and then having a simple syrup business for a few years. I don’t love sticking to the same thing for a long time which is a downfall and an asset. The best thing about me at this point is that I can handle almost any kind of project. Need me to travel to Brazil, produce a video shoot, find talent, source locations, shoot it, and cook for the team? I’m your girl.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I would take them to see the 1960s wild concrete painted sculptures by Benjamin Dominguez in San Gabriel around Legg Lake. Then we would go to Claro’s Italian market to eat a 10″ ring sub sandwich and buy some snacks and groceries. Kimchi Plus is a must for some large containers of very unique varieties made in house. BCD tofu house for good old fashioned Korean diner/delicious tofu soup. Garo’s Basturma is one stop in the Armenian neighborhood of Pasadena for house made basturma and soujuk. Afterwards we stop at Su-Boereg and Monta factory to buy some Monta to cook at home. Then maybe we go to the Castaway for a sunset drink. I love the rotating bar at the Westin Bonaventure, and then a stroll through the 80s Blade Runner style lobby. Cemitas Poblanas in Boyle Heights is one of my favorites for the beautiful stringy cheese and fresh papalo cemitas. The Tuesday morning Torrance farmers market is one of my favorites. The vendors that are there I don’t see at the other markets I go to.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
There isn’t one person who I can dedicate this section to because thankfully I have a wonderful supportive group of long time friends and a loving family. My sister Maya Batki, who is a hairdresser in San Rafael, CA has been an endless pot of love and support my entire life. My dear friend and collaborator filmmaker Kate Kunath has brought me on to some of my most life changing jobs, including a month long trip to 8 cities in Asia for CNN and Anthony Bourdain.

Website: edenbatki.com, edenbatkiphoto.com

Instagram: edenbatki

Linkedin: Eden Batki

Image Credits
Eden Batki, Larissa Brantner, Kira Lillie, Hauser and Wirth