Melissa Perello facts for kids
| Born | Nutley, New Jersey, U.S. |
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| Cooking style | Modern American |
| Education | Culinary Institute of America |
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Melissa Perello is a famous American chef. She is well-known for earning a Michelin star for her restaurant, Frances, in San Francisco. She also won a star for her work at the Fifth Floor restaurant. Melissa has received awards from magazines like Chronicles and Food & Wine.
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Becoming a Chef
Melissa Perello started cooking at a young age. While still in high school, she worked 40 hours a week at a local country club kitchen. One day, she visited a restaurant called Aqua and was invited to see their kitchen. She impressed the chefs there and was offered a chance to learn from them.
Culinary School
From 1994 to 1996, Melissa studied at the Culinary Institute of America. This famous school is located in Hyde Park, New York. It helped her learn many important cooking skills.
Early Career in San Francisco
After culinary school, Melissa moved to San Francisco. She worked with Chef Michael Mina at Aqua, who was a big influence on her. Later, she moved to Charles Nob Hill, another restaurant, where she worked with Chef Ron Siegel.
Melissa quickly became the executive chef at Charles Nob Hill. She was praised for her French-inspired California dishes. During this time, she won the San Francisco Chronicle's Rising Star Chef award in 2002. Food & Wine magazine also named her one of the Best New Chefs in 2004.
Earning a Michelin Star
After Charles Nob Hill, Melissa took charge at the Fifth Floor restaurant. She led the restaurant to earn a Michelin star in 2006. A Michelin star is a very special award for restaurants that offer excellent food.
Opening Her Own Restaurants
In 2009, Melissa Perello opened her very first restaurant called Frances. She named it after her grandmother, who was a big inspiration for her cooking. Frances is located in San Francisco.
Frances Restaurant
Frances quickly became a success and earned a Michelin star. Melissa raised money from investors to open the restaurant. She was able to pay them back fully in just 18 months. Frances offers modern California food in a friendly, relaxed setting.
The restaurant received great reviews. It was nominated for a James Beard Foundation Award for Best New Restaurant in 2010. Esquire magazine and Bon Appétit magazine also named Frances one of the best new restaurants in America that year.
Octavia Restaurant
In 2015, Melissa opened her second restaurant, Octavia. It was named after its location. Octavia combines classic style with modern elegance. It has a bright, open space that feels both fancy and comfortable.
Octavia also earned a Michelin star in its first year. Melissa was recognized as a semifinalist for 'Best Chef West' by the James Beard Foundation in 2016.
M. Georgina Restaurant
In November 2019, Melissa opened her third restaurant, M. Georgina. This restaurant was in Row DTLA in Los Angeles. It was named after her other grandmother. The menu focused on fresh, seasonal ingredients with Italian influences. However, due to a global health situation, the restaurant closed after only four months.
Television Appearances
Melissa Perello has also appeared on television. She was a contestant on the Food Network show Chefs vs. City during its first season. As of 2012, she was one of only ten female chefs in the United States to hold a Michelin star.
