Nourish & Gather
Cooking Classes | Sound Baths | Corporate Wellness
Nourishment Goes Beyond The Plate
Chef in Residence
COOKIES FOR
KIDS CANCER
30
YEARS EXPERIENCE
50k
STUDENTS TAUGHT
5
CITY OF RYE PROCLAMATIONS
Published
COOKBOOK
AUTHOR
About Us
At Nourish and Gather, we bring people back to the lost art of curiosity through sensory experiences that invite a simple shift: from “I don’t like it” to “tell me more.” Through cooking, mindfulness, and sound, we practice presence, patience, and creativity, and we remember that nourishment is essential care.
Whether we’re gathered around a table, in a sound bath, at work, or in a classroom, nourishment creates space for curiosity. Curiosity sparks conversation. Conversation builds connection. Connection becomes community.
Founded by a published cookbook author and former NYC pastry chef, Nourish and Gather is led by an educator who has taught over 50,000 people across 30 years, including 25 years at the Institute of Culinary Education. This work has been recognized by the City of Rye with five proclamations, including naming the Chocolate Rye Cookie, created with Fina Mill to benefit Cookies for Kids’ Cancer, the official cookie of Rye, NY.
Featured Programs
Hello Human,
Nourish and Gather emerged from cherished memories of my grandparents' home, where the kitchen table was more than just a place to eat—it was the heart of our family. At that table, nightly meals became moments of storytelling, laughter, and belonging. We talked politics, created recipes inspired by whatever we'd harvested from the garden that day, and always had our favorite music playing in the background.
After dinner, with plates cleared away, my dad would pick up his guitar, my grandfather would settle at the piano, and the room would fill with songs and laughter. Those evenings weren't just about the meals we shared; they were filled with creativity, spontaneity, and the joy of simply being together.
Inspired by those moments, Nourish and Gather is dedicated to creating spaces—through cooking classes, summer camps, and mindfulness sessions—that invite connection, spark imagination, and foster meaningful presence.
I warmly invite you to join our growing community. Reach out—I’d love to hear your story and welcome you into this space we're building together.
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!
