With 20 years of experience in journalism and recipe development, Melissa has shaped the identity and editorial content of some of America’s most beloved food brands. Whether as a freelancer or a creative team leader, her strategic, collaborative, and organized approach has made her a trusted resource in publishing and consumer products.

After earning an English degree from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, Melissa spent nearly a decade writing for daily newspapers and fashion trade publications. Combining this experience with a passion for cooking, she then pursued a culinary degree from the French Culinary Institute in New York City, formally launching her food media career at Family Circle in 2011. Melissa has built recipe and editorial content for such household names as HelloFresh and Rachael Ray. In 2021, her work as the Food Director of Rachael Ray In Season was even celebrated by the Eddie Awards—one of the publishing industry’s most prestigious honors.