30+
Years cooking
11
Cookbooks
1000s
Students
Simple
Method
TV
Media
Love
Always
Chef · Mentor · Foodie
hello, foodie friend ♡
I’m so excited you’ve landed here. My name is Chef Mel Alafaci — passionate chef, cookbook author, TV regular, and founder of a wildly popular cooking school in Brisbane.
With over 30 years of experience teaching thousands of foodies just like you, I’ve made it my mission to share fun, fearless, and fabulous food knowledge.
Whether you’re a complete beginner or a confident home cook looking to level up, you’re in the right place.
From childhood cookbooks to cooking schools, TV, global recipes and online classes — this is the Chef Mel way.
My food journey began in the Zambezi Valley of Zimbabwe, where I was raised in the wild bushlands before my family fled the Rhodesian Bush War. At five years old, my first cookbook sparked a lifelong obsession.
I trained as a chef in Durban and cooked across South Africa, the UK, Switzerland, Amsterdam, New York, and Australia. Along the way, I opened cooking schools and cooked for legends like Dusty Springfield.
I’ve published 11 cookbooks, including Culinary Quickies, Italian Quickies, and Eat Yourself Sexy — plus an online academy that helps home cooks gain confidence fast.
Cook smarter, not harder
Chef Mel’s world is built around joyful food education — simple tricks, clever shortcuts, big flavour, and the kind of kitchen confidence that makes cooking feel fun again.
Whether you’re here for cookbooks, online courses, or live cooking classes, you’ll learn the cheffy way to make food easier, happier, and seriously delicious.
beyond the kitchen
Who I am besides a chef
I’m a proud wife, mother and CrossFit athlete who has run 16 full marathons.
I believe in strength — on the plate and in life.
I travel the world constantly, discovering new flavours and bringing them home to share with you.
Food should be delicious, fun and full of love.
“Food, fitness and family — that’s my happy place.”
Featured chef · Brand ambassador
as seen on ♡
You’ve probably seen me on Channel 7, The Great Day Out, ABC Radio, 4BC, and more.
I’ve proudly represented food brands like NEFF, Bosch, ChefWorks, Gourmet Garden, and many others as ambassador chef.
My recipes and personality have been featured in Food & Home Magazine, My Village News, The Mercury, and countless global publications.
Real stories · Real foodies
kind words ♡
Warm classes, real confidence, fabulous food and the kind of energy that gets even shy students cooking.
“Vivacious Mel holds court with aplomb. Her classes flourish with laughter and fabulous food. Even shy students get cooking!”
“Behind the big personality is a seriously good chef with humble beginnings.”
“Mel’s classes are fun and relaxed. She turns beginners into confident cooks.”
