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Let's live deliciously! Here you'll find the very best recipes, travel guides, podcasts, videos, and wellness tips to create a healthy, beautiful joyful life.

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Melissa’s Kitchen Masterlist

Obsessed

Here’s my must-have list of kitchen essentials. Gizmos + gadgets, appliances, pots and pans, cookware, knives, and tabletop faves. For decades I’ve collected all your questions! The ones I get on social media, in DMs, emails and texts, from the blog, when I meet you or in our Secret Facebook Group. So I’ve decided to […]

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Sunday Strategies For Success

Wellness

Most people think of Monday as the first day of the week. But if we look at the story of creation … day 1, aka ground zero for Him was Sunday. Just like a tree needs strong roots to rise up and grow, I need a rock solid game plan to ensure the week ahead […]

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Must-Pack Travel Essentials

Travel

I’ve spent a lot of time in the air and living out of suitcases. Nothing brings me more joy than visiting a foreign country and exploring new and exciting places and trying delicious food. But no matter where I go in the world…There are a few items you will always find in my luggage. Here’s […]

Effortless-entertaining-melissa-mayo
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Effortless Entertaining

Lifestyle

Over the years I have hosted small dinners and events that feed hundreds. I’ve cooked for Oscar winners, billionaires, Hollywood studios, friends and family. But no matter the size of the guest list, a successful party comes down to planning. I’m sharing the exact strategy I use every time I host. And I’m confident that […]

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Top Italy Travel Tips

Travel

“You may have the Universe if I can have Italy” – Giuseppe Verdi Italy is the most gorgeous country in the world to travel to. I guess that is why I decided I wanted to retire there. And over the past decade, I have crisscrossed this country eating my weight in pizza. And I still […]

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A Healthy Body Image

Wellness

I have often seen parents who have a poor relationship with food and body image, pass this onto their kids. This is not the relationship with food we want to create for our children.

It’s the holidays and I know everyone is always looking for gift suggestions. For me, nothing tops a recipe book. I have made list of some of my favorites.

Red Carpet Interview with Sheryl Lee Ralph at the night of 100 Stars about South Africa and HIV

Dinner time is a scared time to connect with family

Carrol Boyes is a top South African designer who uses her talent and flair to create distinctive and unique items. By refusing to mass produce outside of Africa, Carrol has created opportunities in post apartheid South Africa.

A healthy spin on a steakhouse dinner… Juicy, delicious, seared tenderloin tops a fresh colorful salad.

Lessons I learned from teaching kids how to cook on the Paramount Studios backlot. And why it is so important to teach our youth about healthy food options and how to cook

As a child I adored the stage. At 11, I played the lead of “Annie” in my school play. This tiny little musical had such a profound effect on shaping me into the woman and mother I am.

Sonje Mayo……dancer, choreographer, physical therapist, Pilates instructor and my mother-in-law. I’m so glad she’s agreed to share her beauty, aging & exercise secrets.

Minori, a town with just 3000 inhabitants. It’s situated along the Amalfi coast alongside towns like Ravello, Positano and Amalfi. It is banked by hills covered with amazing lemon groves that yield the lemons for making Limoncello

Walking around Siena, you feel like you have stepped back into the middle ages. You are transported to Medieval Tuscany. And you gotta hear the story about the crispy pizza …

By substituting fresh herbs& spices for bottled, boxed and packaged foods we can leave the excess pounds on the grocery store shelves instead of on your hips.

I was born and raised in South Africa, but I live in California. Whenever I get homesick I turn to my favorite photographer Heinrich Knoetze. His amazing images transport me back to my birthplace.

I'm Melissa, your host & tour guide.

A Food Network chef, author, mamma, eternal optimist, wannabe-mermaid, spice mixologist, and “dough therapist” (yep, it’s a thing)—

I'm also the founder of Susina Cucina, the gorgeous, Italian cooking school I manifested into my reality. I’m obsessed with Aperol spritzes, travel, and mouthwatering food… especially pizza and pasta.

more about me

Ciao Bella,

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In Italy, they add work and life on to food and wine.

Win a one-week luxury trip to Tuscany 

The Magic of Italy
without the planning

Explore

Food Netwok Chef, Melissa is dishing up delicious food and a once-in-a-lifetime experience for your soul.

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The Magic of Italy
without the planning

Explore

Food Netwok Chef, Melissa is dishing up delicious food and a once-in-a-lifetime experience for your soul.

find out more →

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LIFESTYLE

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RECIPES

FRESH FROM THE BLOG

Healthy living is beautiful … That’s why it’s calledLa Dolce Vita”.

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I’m sharing my best recipes, travel guides, and Italian secrets for longevity & aging gracefully. Discover my tips and tricks to become a Rockstar chef, my current obsessions, and tools to embrace joy, find your purpose, and live deliciously!!

@themelissamayo

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