"Cooking breaks down barriers and brings us together. I’ve seen firsthand how learning to cook and bake not only connects people with themselves but also fosters community, builds confidence, and creates lasting bonds with friends and family. At Gather, we strive to create a culture of belonging."

Passionate and engaging, Melanie Underwood is dedicated to helping others cultivate confidence, creativity, curiosity, calm, and connection in the kitchen. With 29 years of experience as a culinary educator and a certified mindfulness instructor,  she has taught thousands of students—helping home cooks and professionals alike approach food with confidence, creativity, and mindfulness. She bridges the gap between food and connection—not just through cooking, but through mindfulness and intentional gathering.

Her love for food and gathering began on her family farm in Loudoun County, Virginia, where nightly meals were more than just eating—they were moments of storytelling, laughter, and belonging. Taught to bake by intuition from her grandmother and to appreciate food’s deeper meaning from her grandfather, Melanie’s career has been shaped by this foundation: food as a vehicle for community, care, and conversation.

She began her professional journey working in bakeries before apprenticing in Washington, D.C., and later moving to New York City, where she opened The Four Seasons Hotel and worked in renowned restaurants like The Plaza Hotel and Torre di Pisa. In 1996, she transitioned to teaching, spending over two decades at The Institute of Culinary Education, sharing her expertise with both professional and recreational students.