gather
Inspiring connection, community,
and conversation through culinary arts.
At the heart of my teaching approach is the belief that education extends beyond textbooks and classrooms. I’m passionate about helping kids and teens develop critical thinking, creativity, and self-confidence. My method is grounded in the idea that the freedom to make mistakes and learn from them in a supportive environment is crucial for growth.
In my classes, food serves as a powerful tool for teaching important life skills. Through cooking, students learn to embrace acceptance, kindness, and connection. I strive to create a nurturing and inclusive atmosphere where every child feels valued and supported. This environment fosters trust and encourages a sense of belonging, allowing students to feel good about themselves and others.
By combining the joy of cooking with these essential life lessons, I aim to build a community where everyone feels cared for and connected. Join us to experience a unique and enriching journey that goes beyond the kitchen and into the heart of personal development.
Welcome!
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At Gather Culinary, we believe the kitchen is more than just a place to cook—it’s where community is born. Through the joy of cooking and the practice of mindfulness, we create a culture of belonging that sparks curiosity, confidence, and connection.
Our mission is simple but powerful: to help people of all ages—from kids to adults—unlock their creativity, build self-assurance, and discover calm in the kitchen. Cooking with us isn’t just about following recipes; it’s about learning to think critically, embrace mistakes, and grow in a low-pressure, supportive environment.
Here, every stir, chop, and taste becomes an opportunity to practice self-care. Using all five senses, we guide you to be fully present in the moment, turning cooking into a rejuvenating, mindful experience. We’ll help you transform the kitchen into a place of care, connection, and joy.
Join us and rediscover what it means to nourish not just your body, but your soul. Let’s cook, connect, and create a space where everyone feels safe, valued, and inspired.
These aren’t your typical cooking classes.
Gathering inspires belonging, connection,
community, and conversations.
Your kids will have a blast, develop autonomy, and gain essential life skills. Students develop friends, have a caring space to ask questions, and express themselves in a nurturing environment. These hands-on camps will inspire your child to explore new ingredients and flavors and develop a lifelong healthy relationship with food.
Gathering together in person adds community to our cooking classes; sharing food unites us as friends, families, and communities. These classes are ideal for those who want to hone their culinary and baking skills by focusing on techniques guided by a pro. We offer one on one, group classes, or private group classes.
A note-
Inspired by my grandparents, Gather Culinary was born from the warmth of family gatherings – shared meals around the table, hands busy in the garden, the stories and laughter that filled our days. It honors the simple power of coming together, the way food nourishes both body and soul.
I invite you to share in that tradition—join me in creating those bonds of community through my cooking classes, camps, and meditations. Whether you want to say hello or have a question, I’d love to hear from you—don’t hesitate to reach out.
With love,
Melanie
I had the pleasure of attending Melanie’s culinary class at The Network of Women NYC retreat. Her deep knowledge and feisty, boisterous personality made the whole experience a beautiful group effort filled with laughter, education, and insanely delicious, nourishing food. I have shared her recipes with loved ones since with great success, and highly recommend connecting with Melanie!
"Eating at Melanie's culinary events is like stepping into a NYTs story about an exclusive private gathering or a glossy magazine fashion-forward alt-universe that elicits the feeling, "ah, this is exactly what life should be like..."
We gave our son Michael a gift certificate for a week long cooking camp for Christmas. He has a strong interest in cooking and LOVED the camp from day 1! He brought home all his recipes and foods he prepared with Melanie. She is so patient and an excellent teacher that made his love for cooking even stronger. He will be signing up for more classes!
I had the pleasure of working alongside and learning from Melanie as part of a corporate group at a volunteer event for a local charity. Melanie is a natural teacher, and guides culinary learners in a practical, knowledgeable and empowering way. Not only that, but her business reconnects people to their health, the beauty and joy of cooking, and to each other. She is also a values-driven entrepreneur who cares as much about giving back as she does about building her own business. Highly recommend you reach out to Melanie for personal or professional needs!
