Melissa Cottingham

CHEF MELISSA COTTINGHAM (36)

PRIVATE CHEF & POP-UP RESTAURANT OWNER “MELNIFICENT WINGZ”

los angeles, ca

Raised in Memphis, Tennessee, Melissa’s passion for all things food was uncovered when she began cooking alongside her mother at the age of twelve. “Chef Mel” fondly remembers cooking Southern comfort food with many cajun spices as a child which informed her style of cooking. After working as a waitress and hostess while she was in college, she decided to dedicate herself to learning everything about the craft, and enrolled in night culinary classes at The New School of Cooking. While there, Melissa was selected to lead her classmates for the graduation lunch; she assisted various chefs with their demos, and her photo is still used in promotional materials for the annual Women’s Chef & Restaurateur event hosted by the school.

Throughout her culinary career, Chef Mel has helped open Gus’ World Famous Chicken in TX and a local Cheesecake Factory. She’s also held almost every role in the kitchen and front of house - from Hostess, Server, Prep Cook, Line Cook, Menu Designer, Executive Chef and even Dishwasher. She knows what makes a good restaurant great, and has what it takes to bring any floundering establishment back to its feet. 

Chef Mel has been featured in Complex Magazine, Infatuation LA, and Yelp for her work as a Private Chef and Owner of a pop-up restaurant called Melnificent Wingz, which has been in business since 2018. During her pop-ups, she has worked in many industrial kitchens, event venues and AirBNB’s. 

Cottingham’s culinary work has graced the palates of some of your favorite entertainers, including: Tracee Ellis Ross, Marsai Martin, Larenz Tate, Kym Whitley, Jonathan McReynolds, Jenifer Lewis, Anthony Anderson and many more. Her brand partnerships include McDonald's, One Hope Wine, and Extraordinary Families Foster & Youth Agency. She has also showcased her talents live at the 2022 KJLH Women's Health Expo & Western Foodservice & Hospitality Expo. With a smile and personality that can't help but charm you, Chef Mel's unorthodox, soulful and memorable Southern-fusion dishes will give you a hug from the inside out.