About Us
To our new family,
I am proud to announce the opening of Eden Spice, a family-owned restaurant with an amalgamation of tastes served right to your fingertips. Since 10 years old, I, Theresa Barnes, owner of Eden Spice, have dreamed of opening a restaurant to bless others through my culinary skills. Almost three decades later and a lot of time spent fine-tuning my craft, my dream is coming to fruition in the heart of West Carrollton. I am overjoyed.
In 2016, I started planting the seeds for Eden Spice. I cooked extra dishes at home, and the leftovers I shared with coworkers. On my off days, I’d knock on doors, going door-to-door, to local organizations to see if their employees were hungry. I’d often share food with my neighbors. One neighbor asked, “how much do you want for your rice?” And I laughed. It wasn’t about the money. My desire to share my food was firmly rooted in my upbringing and background.
In 2017, I started catering and event planning with the help of my cousin Florence Freeman. She is the owner of Freeman Figs Cafe, a bakery that’s partnered with local schools. The first day, as I worked alongside her, she promised to help me with Eden Spice.
So I cannot take all of the credit for Eden Spices’ success. I owe it to God and my family. God has been my rock and my shield. And my family has tirelessly supported me. Helping me on this journey is Sam, my husband and our two daughters, Samyatta and Samenah. To thank them for their dedication and commitment, I have named some of their favorite dishes after them on the food menu.
In the African tradition, food brings everyone together. We eat to connect, share, and strengthen our bond. Those who have eaten the foods magically and wonderfully sculpted by my hands are now a part of our family. I welcome you into ours — one dish at a time.
Sincerely,
Theresa Barnes
