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 to cooking classes, team-building, culinary consulting, catering and culinary parties. Melanie's infectious enthusiasm and commitment to making simple and delicious food has made the company a success.
As a mother of two, Melanie is particularly fond of cooking with children – a love that prompted her to launch Simple Gourmet Kids. Her kids’ classes help create a foundation of nutritional knowledge and an enthusiasm for eating fresh, seasonal food. Kids leave classes armed with basic cooking skills and a life-long culinary curiosity.
Melanie has had the opportunity to work with culinary celebrities such as Giada De Laurentiis, Rachel Ray, and Ina Garten. She has appeared as a culinary expert on the Fine Living Channel and DIY Network. She taught actor, Olivia Wilde, how to bake an easy tart on E! Entertainment's "Holiday with The Stars". She worked with E! Entertainment again for their "Modern Girls Guide", showing guest celebrity, Eva La Rue, must-have kitchen tools. She has also had the pleasure to cook on different occasions for Tom Hanks, Zac Efron, Duane Johnson 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 Rachael Ray. As a culinary consultant, she has led workshops on Mediterranean and Latin American cooking in major universities across the country.
Diane Brown, Lead Chef
A dynamic culinary instructor and cookbook author, Diane Brown joined Simple Gourmet in 2008. She is the author of The Seduction Cookbook, a collection of recipes for two and a noted aphrodisiac expert who has appeared on television, radio and in print.
Diane began her culinary career in hospitality management with the JW Marriott and Regent Beverly Hills Hotels. Later, she became a senior manager and trainer for the Cheesecake Factory where she coordinated restaurant openings and staff development programs. She currently instructs her popular Date Night cooking classes at The Simple Gourmet Kitchen and is the culinary spokesperson for Agavero Tequila.
Jen Doucette, Lead Chef
Since Jen Doucette joined the Simple Gourmet team in 2009, her good culinary sense and friendly way around the kitchen has been a great addition. She quickly made herself an invaluable part of our catering events and culinary classes.
Jen left a career in computer engineering to follow her love of cooking. Before long, she was cultivating her natural culinary talent while working as a caterer throughout Los Angeles.
Emily Hoffman, Culinary Assistant
Since early 2008 Emily has been working with Simple Gourmet, bringing her culinary training, patience and good humor to culinary events and cooking classes. A graduate of the French Culinary Institute in New York, Emily has worked in PR for restaurants and chefs on both coasts.
As Culinary Coordinator for Sur La Table in Los Angeles, she had the opportunity to lead culinary classes and work with traveling cookbook authors. Emily has a particular love of Middle Eastern food and is always on the look-out for the tastiest healthy food in Los Angeles.
Marco & Jasmine Awad, Culinary Assistants
Marco & Jasmine Awad are the resident married couple at Simple Gourmet! Marco, a native Italian, is a graduate of the New School of Cooking and is the pasta chef at Evan Kleiman's Angeli Caffe. His passion for cooking began sitting under the table as a child as his mother, grandmother and aunts rolled handmade pasta in their kitchen in Rome. Marco brings his soulful cooking and skill to Simple Gourmet catering and team building events.
Jasmine has worked in the hospitality industry for years and has fostered a love of home baking. She has been able to combine her love of cooking and working with kids and always enjoys teaching at Simple Gourmet's Kids Cooking Camp.
They met while working at Angeli and soon found that their love of cooking and baking made for a delicious combination.
Tiffany Estrada, Event Staff
A home cook and lover of fine foods, Tiffany joined Simple Gourmet in early 2008. Her calm demeanor and eye for detail has made her an invaluable part of the Simple Gourmet Catering team.
An avid cook, Tiffany calls herself a "professional taster" and brings her passion for food and parties to every event. When she's not in the kitchen, Tiffany can be found teaching reading to young children.
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, and 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.
Melissa Clarkson, Administrative Assistant
Melissa brought her passion for food and administrative skills to Simple Gourmet in 2009. She quickly proved herself invaluable, coordinating catering events, managing our busy office and communicating with clients.
With a long history in customer service and hospitality, Melissa most recently worked as an Event Schedule Coordinator for a large catering company. An avid cook and baker, she dreams of someday going to culinary school and does product demonstrations for Le Creuset.
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.