We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Chef Melissa Hinton. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Chef Melissa below.

Chef Melissa , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. How’s you first get into your field – what was your first job in this field?

My name is Chef Melissa Hinton I am an exclusive private chef based out of New Orleans Louisiana I primarily work with professional athletes whereby I am there in-home exclusive Chef. My very first cooking job or culinary experience was at a very small Whole Foods Market in New Orleans Louisiana it was the very first Whole Foods Market to be established in New Orleans I thoroughly enjoyed working in the kitchen and working at the sandwich counter preparing sandwiches and setting up what we called a chefs case where pre-cook food would be displayed for customers to buy at a particular time I was in love with cosmetology I was a hairstylist and my family but I also love cooking very much and because cooking was a very unpopular thing at the time I honestly didn’t want people to know this was something that I love more than I could explain. I started to work at several different Whole Foods locations and I knew that I wanted a career in culinary I believe it was the thing that I did the best and made looks so easy my love for a presentation and quality food started at Whole Foods Market. After leaving Whole Foods I started working for a beautiful hotel in New Orleans the Windsor Court, Hotel from there I know my goal was to become a world renowned chef I believe that I could reach the level of an executive chef looking back I’m so excited that I did choose this career path because it’s so fulfilling and I would do this even if I wasn’t paid to do it

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

I am chef Melissa a culinary daughter of New Orleans who discovered at an early age that she was born hard-wired to MacGyver tasty cuisine from even the skimpiest of ingredients into masterpieces that are celebrated by locals. I serve as Private Chef to Brandon Ingram of NBA New Orleans Pelicans
In 2021 I have a amazing opportunity to serve as personal chef to film/movie Director Antoine Fuqua as he filed/directed a movie in NOLA entitled “emancipation” staring Will Smith.
I enjoyed my time as the Executive Chef for The University of Holy Cross in New Orleans, Louisiana.
I am the Chef/Owner of Chef Melissa LLC & The Private Chef Collection.
In Jan 2021 I was a nominee in NOLA recognizing female bosses
“Woman Who Mean Business” Award for Culinary & Fine Dining..
I humbly was recognized in 2019 as an honoree of ACFNO Best Chef of Louisiana whereby she was honored for her efforts in culinary in the city of New Orleans in culinary.
In 2017 I received the African American Lady Chef Award in NOLA as one of the honored celebrated Chefs.
U truly learned the art of food appeal as a prepared foods team member at one of her first gigs in the early days of the now world brand, Whole Foods Market at the age of 19.
Chef fine dining experience included working in busy kitchens of the legendary Grill Room of Windsor Court Hotel as a kitchen supervisor in 2018
I introduced to the world my 1st publication “A WHOLE LOTTA NOLA” Kids Cookbook paying homage to NOLA with cool & fun activities & recipes for every young cook in the family.
I released The Private Chef Collection of spices which includes a holiday spice bundle!
I also released my signature sauces
In January of 2021,
I will be releasing an upcoming cookbook “When Life Gives You Lemons” dedicated to her journey as a chef by displaying some of her most favorite recipes at the end of 2022

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

What I think help build my reputation in my market and field of the world a private chef is always presenting quality to my clients along with education of sports nutrition most athletes that are vetting a chef honestly want a chef who is well-versed in the area of education for sports nutrition this has been a major plus for myself as I continue to grow with my clients they Feel confident in trusting me with their nutrition knowing that nutrition is such a huge role in the life of a professional athlete that it could be a make or break situation that’s why choosing a chef is so important and having the eduction for the nutrition piece is key

Other than training/knowledge, what do you think is most helpful for succeeding in your field?

I honestly believe that other than training and knowledge the most helpful tool you can have him working with pro athletes is the tool of confidentiality… in this lane there are some things that you’re gonna have to be able to take to the grave… not that they’re bad it’s just that when you’re a chef in a home of a pro athlete or a high network client your privilege to see some things about that world would not be able to see you have to be able to have the level confidentiality it says I am aware but I’m also committed to keeping what I know very confidential, These players are human beings just like everyone else and they would also too like to have their private lives & operations of their homes to remain very confidential with the persons they choose to work along with them in their journey I’m extra committed to remaining a confidential in-home private chef

Contact Info:

• Website: www.chefhinton.online
• Instagram: @chefMelissaHinton
• Facebook: Chef Melissa Hinton
• Linkedin: Chef Melissa Hinton

Image Credits
Chef Melissa Hinton