With over 14 years of experience in international fusion cuisine and a true passion for food, Taste of Melina’s Kitchen brings a personalized and creative approach to every event. After honing my skills with a renowned catering group in Los Angeles, I launched my own catering business in Newport Beach, specializing in a diverse range of global dishes, including American, Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, and Italian cuisine.
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9 customer reviews
April Ohr
Catering
Everything was absolutely perfect from start to finish. Her communication was excellent. We ended up having more people than planned, with 1 quick phone call everything was adjusted. All my guests were very pleased with the food. Every single detail from start to finish was executed perfectly. I will definitely be using Melina again for future events. Thank you Melina from the bottom of my heart. More...
Reply from Taste of Melina’s Kitchen
Thank you so much for your kind words, April! I’m so happy to hear that everything went smoothly and that your guests enjoyed the food. It was truly a pleasure working with you, and I’m looking forward to being part of your future events😊 💛
Rain Garnier
Catering
I received so many compliments on Melina's appetizers and desserts during a very important family event. The food and presentation was fresh and made people feel at ease.
Our mothers gavorite dessert wasveryone loved the keylime pie mini cakes! Those were a huge hit and really made the whole afternoon come together!
Melina has a real artistic flair with food!
And from start to finish she was kind and receptive. I would definitely call her again.
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Reply from Taste of Melina’s Kitchen
Hi Rain, thank you so much for your thoughtful review! I’m so happy to hear that the appetizers and desserts were a hit, especially the key lime pie. It was truly an honor to be part of your mom’s celebration of life, and I really enjoyed working with you. I appreciate your kind words and look forward to working with you again in the future! 🌺💛
Marla McIntyre
Catering
So thankful for Melina! She did such a wonderful job and was very flexible for my daughter’s bridal shower. Everyone loved the French toast bite/skewers with the strawberries 🍓! The cheesecake was yummy also. She did a great presentation and had cards on everything. It sure made my life easy. Thanks again Melina! 🙋🏻♀️🍓 More...
Reply from Taste of Melina’s Kitchen
Marla, thank you so much for your kind words! It was truly a pleasure to be part of Claire’s special day. I’m so happy everyone enjoyed the French toast bites and cheesecake! Your kind feedback means the world to me. Wishing Claire all the best in this exciting new chapter! 🩵💙
Amber Kramer
We found Melina on bark.com and she was the first to respond to our inquiry. Lucky for us, she was extremely responsive and curated a menu that fit right into our budget.
Before hiring, I met her a few weeks before our event in order to try a couple sliders (one of the menu options). It was so delicious. Unfortunately, we needed a gluten free option so last minute we had her change it to the mini beef kabobs.
Melina arrived on time, with the food stored to keep hot. There was not a drop of food left, everyone loved the food!! Will definitely hire again for future events!
Thank you Melina!
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Reply from Taste of Melina’s Kitchen
Amber, thank you so much for your kind words! It was a pleasure working with you, and I’m so glad everyone enjoyed the food. I appreciate the opportunity to be part of your event and would love to work with you again in the future!
L Bones
Catering
Melina’s Kitchen was very easy to work with. She was on time for delivery and pick up. I got a lot of compliments on the food. I would use her again.
Reply from Taste of Melina’s Kitchen
Thank you so much for your kind words, Lisa! I’m glad you enjoyed the food and the experience. I appreciate your support and would love to work with you again in the future!
Colleen Murphy
Catering
Melina’s knowledge was apparent while she developed an array of food choice for a party I was throwing.
Reply from Taste of Melina’s Kitchen
Thank you, Colleen, for your kind words! It’s been a pleasure working with you to create the perfect menu for your party. I truly appreciate your trust in my services!
Karen G
Catering
Melina was a delight to work with, full of great ideas and incredibly accommodating. Setup and presentation were artistic and elegant. All my guests made comments about the deliciousness of the food. Exceeded expectations. Highly recommended. More...
Reply from Taste of Melina’s Kitchen
Thank you so much for your kind words, Karen! It was such a pleasure working with you to make your event special. I’m so glad the presentation and food were a hit with you and your guests. Your feedback means so much to me. I’d love the opportunity to work with you again in the future!
Lily
Last week, I had the pleasure of experiencing Taste of Melina’s Kitchen, and I must say, it was absolutely amazing! The quality of the food was outstanding, and every detail was thoughtfully executed. My guests and I were beyond impressed and truly delighted to have discovered such a gem. Thank you, Melina, for creating such a wonderful experience for us. I can’t wait to work with you again! More...
Reply from Taste of Melina’s Kitchen
Thank you so much for your kind words and for trusting Taste of Melina’s Kitchen to be part of your event, Lily. It was an absolute pleasure to serve you and your guests. I’m so thrilled to hear that everyone enjoyed the food and the experience. Your feedback means the world to me, and I can’t wait to work with you again in the future!
VIGOR
I used to order from Chef Melina when she worked with another company, and she was amazing. For the past 10 years, I have always ordered from her for my events, and she is as great as ever
Reply from Taste of Melina’s Kitchen
Thank you so much for your kind words and continued support over the years Vigor! It means the world to me to know that you’ve trusted me with your events for over a decade. I’m truly grateful for your loyalty and am honored to be a part of your special moments. I look forward to continuing to bring you the quality and experience you deserve!
What’s your signature dish?
Rather than a single signature dish, my specialty lies in creating a diverse array of flavors from various cuisines. I enjoy crafting unique menus that blend different culinary traditions, from Mediterranean and Middle Eastern dishes to classic American favorites and refined desserts. My approach allows me to tailor each menu to the event, ensuring a personalized and memorable experience for every client.
How do you go about creating the perfect menu for your clients?
Creating the perfect menu starts with understanding my clients’ vision for their event. I take time to discuss their preferences and the overall theme or ambiance they want to create.
I then craft a tailored selection of dishes that not only reflects their tastes but also adds a memorable, personal touch. Whether it’s blending Mediterranean flavors with international inspirations or incorporating unique flavor profiles, my goal is to create a menu that delights every guest and enhances the experience.
What do you love most about your job?
Cooking has always been my passion—it's not just a job for me, and it never will be. What I love most is the joy of creating memorable experiences through food. There’s something incredibly rewarding about bringing people together over a shared meal, especially when each dish is crafted with care and attention to detail. I truly enjoy connecting with clients to understand their vision and then bringing it to life through flavors, presentation, and ambiance. Knowing that my food can contribute to someone’s special occasion or celebration is deeply fulfilling. It’s this sense of connection and creativity that makes my work so meaningful.
What inspired you to start your own business?
Starting my own business was a natural progression in my culinary journey. After years of working with a prominent catering group and refining my skills across various cuisines, I realized I wanted the freedom to create truly personalized dining experiences.
My passion for food, combined with my commitment to quality, led me to launch my own catering company, where I could craft customized menus that truly reflect my clients’ tastes and vision.
Connecting with people through food and sharing my love for international flavors has been incredibly rewarding. It’s fulfilling to know that every event I cater is a reflection of not only my expertise but also the joy I find in creating memorable meals that bring people together.
Why should our clients choose you?
Clients should choose me because I bring a personalized approach, blending over 14 years of culinary expertise with a genuine passion for food. Specializing in diverse cuisines—including American comfort food, modern fusion dishes, and Italian and Mediterranean cuisine—I excel at crafting unique, flavorful menus tailored to each client’s tastes and needs.
From start to finish, I am dedicated to ensuring every detail aligns with the client’s vision, whether that means creating custom menus, accommodating dietary preferences, or delivering beautifully presented dishes. My mission is to make every event unforgettable by providing not only exceptional food but also an extraordinary experience for every guest.
Choosing me means choosing a caterer who prioritizes quality, creativity, and a truly memorable event.
Can you provide your services online or remotely? If so, please add details.
Yes, I offer remote services to make planning and menu customization as convenient as possible. I can work with clients online to design personalized menus, discuss event details, and provide virtual consultations to accommodate your schedule and preferences.
For clients seeking virtual events or gatherings, I can also arrange meal kits or pre-prepared dishes that can be delivered to multiple locations, allowing guests to enjoy a curated dining experience remotely.
Catering
- Custom Menus: Personalized menus tailored to each event.
- Global Cuisine: Specializing in American, Mediterranean, Italian, Middle Eastern, and international dishes.
- Desserts & Baked Goods: Artisan desserts and baked treats.
- Finger Foods, Charcuterie Boards & Grazing Tables: Elegant finger foods, curated charcuterie boards, and beautifully arranged grazing tables.
- Virtual Consultations: Online planning and menu consultations.
- Event Setup: Professional delivery and setup for seamless service.
