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

Mercedes, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today I’m sure there have been days where the challenges of being an artist or creative force you to think about what it would be like to just have a regular job. When’s the last time you felt that way? Did you have any insights from the experience?

To answer if I’m truly happy at the moment is honestly fairly difficult. The past two years have thrown at me some major tribulations that at times it still feels like I’m in recovery. It has been on my mind, the question of whether I feel fulfilled in my career. I think at the heart of it, I’m grateful for my accomplishments in what is a pretty niche area of the industry. My community has been amazing in their support of my works and I can’t be more thankful to them for that.

However, I think I’d like to explore what else there is to offer in the work I’ve chosen to concentrate in. I wonder if I’ve reached close to my limits, if I am finishing a book to what has encompassed so much of adult life. If I haven’t, then perhaps I’m just at a plateau and will experience some change in terrain sometime in the near future. If so, then I think I’d be best suited moving on. And with that, I’m quite curious about a return to school. Admittedly, that’s a scary thought as well.

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

To summarize my work, I am a chef. My median is locally grown produce. My focus has been on the education on the broad reaching impact of supporting your local farmers, the importance of eating mostly plants in season, and that plant-based cuisine can taste amazing. I’ve worked many positions both front and back of house at restaurants and catered beautiful banquets and ceremonies. However, my great love and passion is working the farmers market demo booths and educational outreach. With educational outreach I showcase various recipes and tastes of in season produce to students of all ages as well as at senior centers in town.

Going further into my career, I’m interested on the more subtle effects of food and how it affects us on an energetic and behavioral level. This is one of the motivating drivers to return to further education. I’m quite curious on the intersection of diet and neuroscience.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

Hands down, the most rewarding aspect is the freedom. When I work on solo projects, I get the freedom of choosing to work with the individuals and institutions of my choice, the ingredients of my choice, and the aesthetics of my choice. It’s no secret that I’m a particular person and I think for people with such a controlled vision on what it is they would like to share that being a creative is a great career choice.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

I’m currently learning that sometimes things happen, and you can’t control every aspect of your life or career. Sometimes you have to just keep going and doing, even if the work looks minimal. You can have such great talent and support, but if you don’t have the resources or resources aren’t easily accessible to you, unfortunately you won’t always get the opportunities that are out there. This isn’t a reflection of you and your work. It’s just a reflection of the current reality. Keep doing your work anyway. If it’s what you love and what feeds you emotionally, keep doing it.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.foxandfloweratl.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theeastavillagewitch/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mercedes-m-78a42b109/

Image Credits
Rebecca Pruett Photography