Andrew Faulkner

Chef Andrew has always had a passion for food and cooking.  Even as a youth, he began having success catering small parties in high school.  “It was fun, the money was okay; I did it because it was fun.” Chef Andrew explains.   After having nearly instant success, Chef Andrew decided that to pursue a culinary degree at the Western Culinary Institute in Portland, Oregon. After graduation, Chef Andrew then interned at the Ritz Carlton in Laguna Niguel, California.  After his successful internship experience at the Ritz Carlton, Chef Andrew moved on to work at such acclaimed hotels as the Four Seasons Hotel and JW Marriott.   Chef Andrew decided to join Melissa’s in their emerging corporate test kitchen.   “It was a new concept to have a test kitchen at a produce company, and we were finding anyway that we could to justify our being there.” said Chef Andrew.   The results were miraculous in associate retention and understanding of products and the culinary possibilities.  

In addition to all of the testing and product development, Chef Andrew, as well as handful of others, help build Melissas.com’s first recipe library.  “We accomplished a lot, in a very short amount of time,” says Chef Andrew while looking back in his time in the kitchen at Melissa’s.

Currently, Chef Andrew is Corporate Chef / Consultant Liaison, for Melissa’s Food Service.  “It is something special when a chef calls us to place an order and is speaking with another Chef.” explains Chef Andrew.  In addition, Chef Andrew participates in various culinary and food service industry events as an ambassador for Melissa’s.

When not sharing his knowledge with other chefs, Chef Andrew is bit of a thrill seeker, enjoying active extreme sports, such dirt bike riding and jet skiing.   He also enjoys traveling.