ABOUT US
Chauncey’s is a Black Woman Owned event planning & catering company in Baltimore, MD. Chauncey’s was established in 2016 and is the brainchild of Chef Melanie Kerr. Chef Melanie’s undeniable passion for food and dedication to service has grown Chauncey’s from a fun side business into a sustainable culinary force.
MEET CHEF MELANIE
MEET CHEF MELANIE
Believe it or not,
I was way more interested in dancing, poetry, and daydreaming. My sister would always help out with daily meals and eventually help teach me the basics of cooking. With age, helping cook for holiday meals became mandatory, so against my will I learned to cook! The influence and teachings of my mom and sister were my introduction to food and its power to connect people and create memories.
I NEVER LIKED COOKING GROWING UP…
& bragging rights
ACCOLADES
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(Contestant) The Food Network’s CHOPPED (season 32 episode 1)
(Winner) Plate It Baltimore: Fry Fest Episode
DelMarva Live news
WBAL-TV 11 News
WJZ-13 News
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Mike Pergyl
Jimmy Wang
Cody Storts
Jeff Moore
Aaron Sanchez
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Chili con Cerveza- (winner 2016, Competition judge 2017)
Tiny Foods Competition (winner 2017 & 2018)
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Personal Chef- Governor Wes Moore, State of Maryland
Resident Chef- Church Bar Baltimore (1st iteration)
Event Chef- Coachella & Stagecoach 2013
Travel Chef- Coach G Academy
Banquet Chef- House of Blues Hollywood & San Diego
We have partnered with local businesses such as Found Studios, B'More Made, HEX Superette and Backyard Base Camp. We have hosted community events featuring locally sourced proteins, vegetables, and products. We have worked with such nonprofits as the Maryland Food Bank and There Goes My Hero on fundraising projects that benefit the communities they serve.
2007- 2012
FINDING FOOD, A CULINARY BREAKTHROUGH
Chef Melanie’s first taste of the culinary world began as a banquet server for Innovative Gourmet Catering. The world of catering was an exciting, up-tempo, tailspin of ever changing menus, nomadic event locations and revolving faces working tirelessly to create picture perfect moments. SHE LOVED IT! Though cooking was not an initial passion, something had awakened in her to want more!
She left home for Rochester Institute of Technology to pursue Civil Engineering and learned within 3 semesters that this was not the career for her. After one year and a semester as an interior design major later, she knew that it was time to give in to her hidden desire to be in the culinary world. Her mothers sage advice influenced her decision to study Hospitality & Restaurant Management and proved to be the fulcrum which helped her actualize a passion for culinary arts.
LEANING IN, A FOCUS ON FOOD
2013-2015
With a B.S in Hospitality & Restaurant Management, and as a survivor of gray winters and the relentless cold of Rochester, Chef Melanie knew that she needed to continue her pursuit of mastering culinary arts where the sun was constant and the weather was always warm. From RIT, Chef Melanie traveled to Los Angeles, CA to attend the prestigious Le Cordon Bleu college. Upon graduating with a Culinary Arts degree, she completely submerged herself in exploring the full spectrum of the culinary world. She worked all avenues of the foodservice and hospitality industry including but not limited to: executive chef, private chef, fine dining, chef instructor, and caterer.
Chef Melanie came to learn that there is one thing that is absolutely undeniable about food; much like math & science; FOOD IS A UNIVERSAL LANGUAGE. Food is one of many important things that ALL people have in common. Regardless of race, religion, orientation, political views, social class, etc, we all have to eat! Since we all must eat, Chef Melanie lives and cooks with one thought in mind, why not make it memorable?
PHILANTHROPY & COMMUNITY FIRST
2015- 2022
Chef Melanie honored her belief that ‘food is a universal language’ as the Executive Chef at Moveable Feast from 2015-2022. Moveable Feast is a non-profit organization in Baltimore City fostering a community that cares for men, women and children living with HIV/AIDS, cancer, and other life-threatening illnesses by preparing and delivering nutritious meals and groceries and providing nutritional counseling and other services. (source: www.mfeast.com). During her time with Moveable Feast Chef Melanie led the kitchen team and volunteers, leaving behind a 48-option, 12-week cycle menu of standardized recipes that elevated flavor while prioritizing nutrition. Chef Melanie spent time beyond the work day to promote the mission through participation in fundraising events, representing the organization in the media, and promoting the growth and expansion of Moveable Feasts services to the greater Baltimore & Eastern Shore community. It was in this role that Chef Melanie was able to leverage her skills and passion to make a significant impact in her community. Chef Melanie regularly participates in annual fundraising events.
Chef Melanie is a Baltimore native and uplifts her community through sourcing locally, shopping with local artisans for food products, and regular participation in community events and farmers markets. Under Chef Melanie’s leadership, Chauncey’s has partnered with local businesses, hosted community events, and donated time & services to Baltimore Non-Profit organizations.
UNLOCKING THE FINAL FORM:
PRESENT
Head first dive into first generation business ownership
Chef Melanie opened Chauncey’s in 2016 as a way to unleash her colorful, whimsical, personality through food. With 15 years of culinary experience, Chef Melanie took her undeniable passion for food to the next level by making the tough choice to leave Moveable Feast and lean into growing Chauncey’s full-time.
In the past 7 years, Chef Melanie’s passion, hard work, and consistency have grown Chauncey’s from a fun side project into a thriving business. Through catering, chef instruction, private chef services and signature spice blends, Chef Melanie has shared her culinary creations, and recipes with a diverse client base. Chef Melanie’s relentless work ethic and perfectionist mentality has helped Chauncey’s to meet and exceed its clients' varying needs and expectations. Chef Melanie has successfully planned and executed a variety of events including parties, weddings, private dinners and community events.
Chef Melanie welcomes all opportunities to teach, collaborate & create memorable experiences around artful food. As a natural people person and social butterfly, Chef Melanie is most comfortable entertaining and delighting clients with her creations! In her free time, Chef Melanie enjoys mothering her 2 boys, dancing with reckless abandon, and spoken word poetry. Chef Melanie believes in doing what makes her feel good and strives to be the best human being she can possibly be. With her husband by her side and family behind her, she hopes to continue growing Chauncey’s into a sustainable culinary force.