Chef-Owner, Araujo Restaurant Group; New Orleans, LA

Melissa Araujo is a seasoned chef in New Orleans who boasts a diverse culinary background. She has an insatiable passion for cooking and sharing her story through her beautifully plated and unique meals she creates while feeding others. Melissa was born in the third largest city on the Atlantic Coast of Honduras, La Ceiba, Atlántida. Growing up, her summers were spent in Honduras on her grandmother’s farm. During this, her love of food and understanding of hard work and family were cultivated exponentially. She considers this time in her life one of her most cherished memories, allowing her to discover a deeper understanding of her heritage and further cultivate the love for cooking she has ascertained from a young age. The remainder of year, Melissa spent her time in Providence, Rhode Island in a vastly different atmosphere, but one that nonetheless also contributed to her culinary style and personal development. Melissa and her family relocated to New Orleans around her 16th birthday. It was during this time that Melissa felt she had finally found the place to truly cultivate her culinary interests outside of Honduras. Life, family, heritage and the city of New Orleans inspired Melissa to fully commit herself to the culinary industry. After graduating high school, she immediately took advantage of any and every opportunity presented to nurture her already present passion for cooking. Since her start in the culinary industry, Melissa has worked her way up, continuously growing and evolving to offer the unique culinary experience she has created today. (New Orleans, LA) @chefmelissaaraujo