Carving Out Time for Dinner with The Culinistas’ Tiana Tenet

Carving Out Time for Dinner with The Culinistas’ Tiana Tenet

When Tiana Tenet found herself slaving her days away in the New York grind surrounding Wall Street she knew it was time for a career change. Stemmed from a passion for eating healthy (and often not having the time to create nutritious home cooked meals), she teamed up with business partner Jill Donenfeld in 2017 to create The Culinistas, a cooking service whose mission it is to bring people back to the table and make it easier to enjoy home-cooked meals together.

The service pairs families with local chefs who then come to you -- with groceries! -- to cook your meals for the week (they clean up too)! Food is sourced from the local farmers market, with free-range meat and sustainable and organic ingredients.

We caught up with the entrepreneur to ask her to share a little about her life at home (and at the dinner table)...

What is the one lesson you’ll teach to your kids?

The importance of gathering around the table to engage in meaningful conversation and enjoy delicious food.

What are you eating these days?

Eating? You mean drinking! Between the water, coffee, milkmaid tea, smoothies, and wine, I find myself drinking all day. The water, tea, and smoothies help with milk production. The coffee and wine help with motherhood!

What is your all-time favorite recipe? 

My mother's sausage bread. It's a family recipe she perfected and passed down to me. I make it during the holidays or on a rainy day.

What is your go-to meal for your children?

Whatever my husband and I are eating. We believe strongly in family meals -- it's the best way to introduce new foods to your children and expand their palates.

How do you practice self-care?

I love to move. If I can't fit in an intense workout, I'll squeeze in a walk to work or stroll around the neighborhood while taking calls. On the weekends, I'll swap out my workout for a tennis match or dance session. Moving brings out the best in me!