Chef Melissa Wieczorek

Being chosen at Personal Chefs Network as Pacesetter Personal Chef is a wonderful achievement. Among the many reasons one may be chosen are: successful and innovative marketing ideas; recipe contributions; being active in the Members’ Forums and Open Kitchen Forum; industry leadership; and willingness to share.

Melissa Wieczorek, owner and chef of A la Maison Personal Chef Service, is no stranger to the dinner time challenges faced by today’s working professionals. “Let’s face it. We’re in a dual income society where couples are challenged to balance career, family and personal needs on a daily basis. We’re stressed. We’re pressed for time. So all too many of us end up relying heavily on unhealthy alternatives like convenience food, fast food and take-out. I’ve been there."

Prior to launching A la Maison, Melissa spent 11 years in various positions at Temple University, most recently serving as Director of The Fox School’s Executive MBA Program. While she enjoyed her work and was good at her job it left her with little time for her family let time to cook. She yearned for something more. And her travels abroad throughout her career exposed her to some of the world’s finest cuisine further fueling her culinary interests. “I had a passion for cooking and entertaining and had always wanted to have my own business. But a restaurant was out of the question. It was not conducive to family life.” Enter the personal chef industry. It was while conducting research for a class during her MBA program that Melissa learned of personal chefs. “I was intrigued by the concept. For me, it was the perfect opportunity to blend my business expertise, leadership ability and entrepreneurial drive with my passion for cooking. It was an “a-ha” moment that changed my life.”

The rest is history. For the past four years Melissa has been providing quality, home-cooked cuisine to busy singles, couples and families across Bucks County, PA and the Princeton, NJ vicinity. Melissa’s culinary talents have been developed over the years through cooking classes, self-instruction, and practical experience obtained while working at fine restaurants during college. Her culinary inspirations stem from frequent travels to Europe, particularly Italy and France, where she has spent many hours in the kitchens and at the tables of family and friends learning the secrets of preparing fine cuisine every day. In addition to meal delivery service she offers cooking demonstrations, one-on-one and group cooking classes, dinner parties and more.

A la Maison has been featured in The New Hope Gazette as well as the “Focus on Newtown” and “Living a Dream” sections of The Bucks County Courier Times. Melissa is a member of the Lower Bucks County Chamber of Commerce, the Bucks County Foodshed Alliance and the Personal Chefs Network, where she serves as a Mentor Chef. She resides in Bucks County, PA with her family.

Send email to Melissa or visit her site at http://www.alamaisonchef.com/