We believe that laughter in the kitchen makes the best food. Our team brings together years of culinary experience, a passion for fantastic food, and a commitment to fun. The collective talent of the Simple Gourmet team members is the driving force of our success. Together, we work, laugh, and make it fun to cook again!
Melanie Barsuk, Founder/Chef
In 2003, Melanie left a successful career in corporate sales and marketing to devote her attention to her lifelong love of cooking and entertaining.
With years of culinary classes and real-life experience under her belt, Melanie founded Simple Gourmet - a company that brings to life her straightforward
culinary approach in cooking classes, team buildings, culinary consulting, catering and culinary parties. Melanie's infectious enthusiasm and committment to making simple and delicious food has made the company a success, with students leaving her classes and parties excited about the delicious food they've tasted and eager to re create it for their friends and family. As a mother of two, Melanie is particularly fond of cooking with children - a love that prompted her to launch Simple Gourmet Kids. With a faithful following of kids who eagerly await her next children's cooking class, Melanie brings fun and learning together in the kitchen.
As a Culinary Coordinator for the Santa Monica Sur La Table, Melanie had the opportunity to work with culinary celebrities such asa Donna Hay and Giada De Laurentiis. She has appeared as a culinary expert on the Fine Living Channel and DIY Network. In 2004, she taught "OC" star Olivia Wilde how to bake an easy tart on E! Entertainment's "Holiday with the Stars". More recently, she worked with E! Entertainment again for their "Modern Girl's Guide", showing guest celebrity Eva La Rue must-have kitchen tools. She has also had the pleasure to cook on different occasions for Teri Hatcher, The Rock, and others in the entertainment industry.
Taji Marie, Executive Chef
In 2004, Taji brought her passion for international flavors to Simple Gourmet and began developing recipes for the company that celebrate seasonal, fresh ingredients. As a restaurant chef, caterer, consultant, food stylist, culinary instructor and food writer, Taji has spent the last 15 years bringing together flavors from around the globe.
In her culinary classes and team-buildings throughout Los Angeles and across the country, Taji strives to give real-life cooking solutions to everyday people. In her trainings for home cooks and corporate chefs alike, she brings to life her no-fuss approach to making fantastic food that incorporates traditional flavors from around the world.
Born with a love of food and cooking, Taji began working in restaurants at the age of 14. With her impeccable work ethic and culinary standards, she quickly worked her way up to executive chef and management positions. With a passion for travel, she took her skills on the road and spent time working as a chef in the Caribbean. She also has a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and her articles and recipes have appeared in Cooking Light and Wine Country Living magazines. For over 3 years, as the Culinary Manager for Sur La Table in the Los Angeles area, she worked with well-known chefs from around the world on cooking demonstrations and book signings, including Donna Hay, Joanne Weir, Anne Willan and Rachel Ray. As a culinary consultant, she has led workshops on Mediterranean and Latin American cooking in major universities across the country.
Jennifer Aldridge, Lead Chef
After 20 years in the culinary industry, Jennifer Aldridge joined Simple Gourmet in 2007 and quickly established herself as a Lead Chef. Her culinary expertise and good humor is already an indispensable part of Simple Gourmet events. She brings years of culinary instruction experience and an ease in the kitchen to our team buildings and private classes.
After graduating from the California Culinary Academy and the Ecole de Gastronomie Ritz Escoffier Paris, she spent time working in Los Angeles restaurants Border Grill, Campton Place and Maple Drive. With restaurant and catering experience, Jenn ventured to Costa Rica where she had a pastry business making desserts for restaurants and wedding cakes. Back in LA, Jenn turned her talents and experience to teaching at Epicurean and Chefs Inc.
Johnny Iglinsky
Johnny Iglinsky joined the Simple Gourmet in 2007 after moving to Los Angeles from his native Texas. A recent graduate of the prestigious Culinary Institute of America at Hyde Park, Johnny brings his culinary knowledge and charm to Simple Gourmet's catered and team building events.
After cutting his culinary teeth in restaurants in Texas, and pursuing his culinary education in New York, Johnny moved to the Napa Valley where he worked in the well-know restaurant, Julia's Kitchen and completed the Culinary Institute of America's wine education course. With a passion for pairing food with the perfect wines, beers and spirits, Johnny often takes on the role of Mixologist at Simple Gourmet events.
Kate Goodyear, Lead Chef
Kate has been working with Melanie and Taji since 2006 and regularly brings her love of food and quest for pastry perfection to Simple Gourmet events. Whether it’s baking delicious desserts for a catered event or leading on of our Teambuilding events, Kate offers a keen culinary eye.
Kate grew up cooking with her mother, but it wasn't until 2005 that Kate decided to switch from academia to a career in the culinary arts. She has a deep love of desserts and a keen culinary eye. Kate is currently the Assistant Culinary Coordinator and instructor for Sur La Table, Los Angeles, and an Assistant Pastry Chef at the popular Los Angeles restaurant, BLD.
Francisco Quesney, Event Staff
Simple Gourmet events wouldn’t be the same without Francisco’s watchful eye! He brings a calm, attentive approach to cooking that helps our clients feel at ease in the kitchen. This thoughtful approach to cooking and his love of food of all ethnicities has made him a perfect match with Simple Gourmet, where he has worked since 2006.
Always deeply connected to food and culture, Francisco became an "intuitive" vegetarian at age 7. By 14 he turned his attention to sweets and began baking cakes to earn some pocket money. At 21, his love of animals confirmed his conviction to become a strict vegetarian. Francisco has traveled throughout the world and worked with starving children in war-torn Africa. This experience made him appreciate the value of food and eating well.
John Cole, Photographer
A longtime friend of Taji Marie’s, John Cole was thrilled to bring his photography talents to Simple Gourmet. His eye for simple beauty and amazing talent has helped capture what’s best about Simple Gourmet food. John also lent us his talent as a headshot photographer, capturing great photos of both Melanie and Taji for this website.
We are so thrilled that John has become the exclusive photographer for Simple Gourmet! Check out his other work and learn more about JBC Images at www.JBCImages.com.
Julie Evidon, Art Director
Julie Evidon has provided art direction and graphic design for health and beauty, fashion, entertainment, corporate companies for over 15 years. A longtime friend of Melanie’s, Julie’s talents quickly became an important part of growing Simple Gourmet. Her creative eye and keen graphic sense has helped shaped the clean, crisp look of the Simple Gourmet brand.
In 1999, Julie Evidon launched J Evidon Designs, a full-service design agency, which specialized in packaging/product launches; corporate branding; advertising and collateral, including brochures, product catalogs/look books, newsletters, and sales/press kits and web design. The full service agency also produces and directs photo shoots for advertising, collateral and websites. Learn more about Julie at www.jevidondesigns.com.
Red Meat Design
We can't forget our amazing web developer, Scott Crutcher, owner of Red Meat Design. From the inception of our logo, Scott has been with Simple Gourmet every step of the way, keeping our website fresh.