Miki Hackney

Chef Miki has always enjoyed food and cooking, ever since she was a child baking treats from her Easy-Bake Oven.  Sharing her treats with her family and friends, she realized early on the deeper social interaction that happened with food.

After embarking on a career as an Accountant, Chef Miki decided to shift gears and pursue formal culinary education at California School of Culinary Arts – Le Cordon Bleu.  During her studies, she began her culinary career as a prep chef in Southern Californian restaurants and entertainment venues.

Every day at Melissa’s, Chef Miki prepares the staff’s daily product samplings.  “The daily product samplings are a chance for the team to better understand Melissa’s Produce in a more culinary way.  It is challenging to always create something new with a product, however, that is also a large part of the fun,” says Chef Miki.
In addition to the daily product sampling, Chef Miki creates and tests new recipes, as well as works on special culinary assignments.  Her affable nature and passion for cooking shines when representing Melissa’s at local and out-of-state trade shows and expos, where she educates attendees on produce and related Melissa’s products.

Chef Miki is constantly exploring all ethnic cuisines and loves to travel abroad. Chef Miki truly feels the most at home in the kitchen.  Miki’s favorite pastime (besides sharing in good conversation), is still baking, although she has retired her Easy-Bake Oven.  “Cooking is my therapy,” she says with a smile.  She continues, “it allows me to become a vital tool to think and relax when the cooking gets tough.”