After the birth of their first child 12 years ago, Beylka Krupp and her husband felt a void that many parents feel after having their first born—a dearth of quality restaurants where you can take your kids. Krupp and her husband, Rich Foshay, did not want a place where kids were simply allowed. They wanted a place free of the annoyed stares from childless diners and the guilt that provokes. And they wanted a place that truly promoted family, rather than merely accepting it. So, with experience in the restaurant business already, the couple decided to fill that void themselves.
“We wanted to create a place where kids and adults could be happy, well fed, and comfortable,” Krupp says.
Krupp and Foshay are now parents of two, 12-year-old Mage, and 8-year-old Rowan Juniper. “And, I consider the 22 girls in my Girl Scout troop to be my daughters too,” Krupp says. The couple are the owners of Wobble Cafe in Ossining, a restaurant that is just as much about fresh food and options for everyone as it is about family and promoting both kids and adults’ creativity.
In honor of Mother’s Day, a time to celebrate the amazing contributions that local moms make to our communities and their families, we asked Krupp about why promoting family is important to her, what she feeds her kids, and how she balances being a super mom of two, a chef and a business owner, who still has time to manage a troop of 22 third-grade Girl Scouts and get the laundry done.
How did you decide to make your café kid-friendly? Why is that important to you?
After having our son, we realized there were no great restaurants where families could eat healthy and delicious fare and be themselves without fear of judgment or rude looks or comments from childless diners. The location was perfect for a family restaurant and the town of Ossining seemed to be such a supportive, working family environment that it seemed like a perfect match. The idea that we needed to be a judgment-free zone that supported dining out for families with special needs and allergies also just came into it from the beginning.
We also felt it was important to support an interactive family meal time. We don’t have TVs on the walls or video games. But we have blocks and bookcases for all age levels, and card games for families to use and be creative. It all supports family reading time and game time.
What are your own kids’ favorite meals from your menu?
The most popular items are the cheese fondue and the toad in a hole. Our son has a sandwich named after him; while it is not on the menu, he suggests it to most tables when he is there. The Mage’s Panini Special is grilled chicken, bacon, and American cheese on whole wheat grilled in the panini machine served with peas or carrots and fresh fruit.
A quick taste of Wobble’s homey and comforting breakfast |
What is your favorite snack for your kids?
Fresh cut fruit! My kids are great fruit eaters. Growing up in a restaurant makes it easy to have bad eating habits because the unhealthy stuff is easier to prepare and we have so much food around all the time. So, we have strict rules about meals and snacking.
What has been the biggest challenge you have balancing being a mom, a chef, and restaurant owner?
Keeping our family life private. Because we are at the café with our kids every day, customers can hear and see all our interactions. They know when we fight, are sick, didn’t do homework, failed a test, when we are happy, when we are sad, where we are going on vacation, etc. Our lives are open books. Our kids are known as “the wobble kids.” In some ways though, it is also a good thing because it helps other families to see that we are all going through the same thing, and most of it should not be something to be ashamed of or hide. We can learn from each other when we share and when we don’t hide our bumps in the road.
What do you see as the biggest advantage to being a mom and a chef/restaurant owner?
Having the ability to bring my kids to work whenever needed, allows me the opportunity to show them an excellent work ethic; show that one can balance work and family by intertwining the two; and show how a woman can run a business and a home with great success (i.e., like a BOSS!!)
One of the biggest advantages is that I can share my passion for food and cooking with my children on a personal and a professional level.
How do you celebrate Mother’s Day?
I always work on Mother’s Day. Everyone who comes to Wobble becomes part of the family, and I love feeding my family every day of the year. My kids present me with homemade gifts and homemade dinner after we close at 4 pm on Mother’s Day.
Anything else you want to add?
Women and family-owned and operated businesses are crucial to our small town economies. Besides strengthening gender equality, they support communities and families. Shop small. Shop local.