East Coast Raised
California Trained
Seasonally focused
Work with melissa
Household
Tired of solving the dinner problem? Tag me in.
Dinner Parties
Be a host that attends their own gathering.
Events
Some celebrations don’t fit around a table, nor should they!
East Coast Raised.
With New Jersey roots, a Pennsylvania education and New York City professional start, I’m driven to seek out the best, scrappy and resourceful in executing the vision, and ultimately humble in the knowledge that I was only the final leg on an ingredients journey from farm to plate (with minimal stops in between).
California Trained
After leaving the furnishings world of New York City in 2013, I traveled to California’s Bay Area to study classic French culinary skills through a lens of seasonality and sustainability. I spent the following four years cutting my teeth at restaurants and food start-ups, teaching cooking classes, learning the ropes of being a personal chef under the tutelage of more seasoned colleagues, and ultimately starting What Clark Cooked. I take my inspiration from California cuisine and try to honor it in every meal that I make by committing to an equal focus of nutrient and flavor densities.
Seasonally Focused
The pulse of my work is in understanding what is seasonally available, knowing the surrounding farms, farmers and artisans who foster those ingredients, and utilizing my skillset to help those ingredients sing.
Compliments to the chef
Melissa brings creativity and soul to her cooking. She recently cooked for 35 guests at my home and the rave reviews are still coming in. Melissa prepared a variety of flavorful dishes including fish tacos, curried meatballs, Mac and cheese and her goddess chicken. Her cheese platters were like works of art. I’m obsessed!The breadth of her offering is truly impressive. The entire process was seamless – Melissa and her assistant made the night an enjoyable one all around. I can’t wait to work with her again.
— Chenoa T., Mendham
“Melissa has worked for me many times and I always find her to be on time and on top of her game. She’s a hard worker and a true professional. Service with a smile. Cool under pressure. That’s Melissa.”
Laura S., Harding
“We had Such a wonderful experience with Melissa for my dad’s 70th birthday dinner for 5 people! She was friendly and an excellent communicator, reliable, flexible, and the food was absolutely amazing! She worked with us to create a perfect menu, then showed up at the house totally prepared and prepped, and gracefully whipped up an out-of-the-park meal. Very professional and experienced, and so organized. Respectful of our space, and left the kitchen immaculate. We look forward to hopefully working with her again. Recommend highly!”