Friday, April 23, 2010

Phoning It In With … The Bachelor’s Jillian Harris


Reality TV star/restaurant designer, Jillian Harris blew through town yesterday to promote her newest project, an earth-friendly restaurant chain named Yumberi.

And as unapologetic fans of “The Bachelor/Bachelorette,” we were tickled pink to spend a few minutes on the phone with her.

First of all, she’s way too nice to be a semi-famous TV star. So nice in fact, that we officially feel horrible for laughing at the the all jokes Joel McHale made at her expense on The Soup.

She’s also been crazy busy, putting her talents to use as a guest designer on “Extreme Home Makeover.” However, she did find time to check out Scottsdale’s Modern Steak, which she described as “really beautiful and warm but cool, like a chic version of grandma’s house.” (She must have some pretty hip grandparents back in her hometown of Vancouver, Canada.) Meanwhile, Harris was also impressed by the Valley’s collection of Mid-Century Modern architecture, which she says is one of her fav styles.

As for the tabloid reports of friction between her and fiancé, Ed Swiderski, she says fear not. “We’re so happy and will be setting a wedding date in the next couple of weeks.” That said, she admits that they getting a lot of pressure, both from fans of the show, “but also my family, who can’t wait for us to get married.”

Finally, Harris gushed about her new gig designing restaurant interiors for Yumberi, a new upscale yogurt shop coming to the Valley in June. Owned by a childhood friend, Harris says it’s much more environmentally focused than competing shops such as Pinkberry, thanks to the use of reclaimed wood interiors and biodegradable serving products (paper cups made from recycled potato skins and corn-based spoons). 

Furthermore, this self-serve concept will feature “less Cap’n Crunch and more fresh fruit toppings, as well as health options such as gluten-free yogurts,” Harris says.

Mmmm . . . keeping my fingers crossed that one will eventually open in Toronto. 

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