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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 […]

Top-travel-tips to-visit-italy-melissa-mayo
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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.

Hanukkah, oh Hanukkah, come light the menorah Let’s have a party, we’ll all dance the horah Gather ’round the table, we’ll give you a treat Dreidels to play with and latkes to eat. Latkes are potato pancakes, traditionally served during Hanukkah. The latkes are fried in oil to symbolize the ancient lamps that held only […]

I never in my wildest dreams imagined that a dessert that is Kosher for Passover would be good enough to eat year-round. But it is incredible. CHOCOLATE CARAMEL MATZO BRITTLE…A combo of chocolate, caramel, dried fruits, and nuts all layered together to make the ultimate brittle. Whip them up just in case the sweet tooth […]

My late mom was an incredible cook. In fact when Jade was a kid she went so far as to say she preferred her fillet to mine, before polishing off 7 slices and leaving only a taste for the other Shabbos guests. So I had to learn how to make it. And man oh man […]

So this recipe was not an easy one to perfect. Maybe cause it is DRUNK and NUTTY like me. Hahahaha The first time I made it, it was a little too rich for the family. But the photo was fabulous, and all of you wanted to make it. So I had another go at it. […]

Vibrant oranges and grapefruit with velvety, creamy goat cheese and nuts and snap peas create a delicious salad loaded with healthy goodness. Like most of my salads, this one started out with what I had in the fridge… You might also see a pattern. It is usually based on what is in season so citrus […]

Shashouka…A dish of eggs poached in a sauce of tomatoes, chili peppers, and onions, often spiced with cumin. Welcome to your new favorite breakfast. It is believed to have a Tunisian origin and is a popular Israeli food. And it’s the perfect father’s day breakfast. It’s father’s day today and I am lucky enough to […]

These Sage Honey Mustard Chicken Thighs are legit gonna blow your mind! Run don’t walk to the grocery store to pick up the ingredients for these babies. This recipe is a sure-fire winner. Most of you are huge fans of my rosemary and citrus chicken thighs. It’s been my go-to recipe for ages but this […]

My all-time favorite salad is a loaded Greek brimming over with salty feta and briny Kalamata olives. In fact, I’d never even heard of a Cesar salad till I moved to California at the age of 24. Growing up in South Africa a Greek Salad was the most popular salad on every menu. So it’s […]

I grew up in South Africa where Greek salads were as common and Cesar salads are in America. So it’s no surprise that it is my go-to salad. I love the salty, creamy feta and the briny Kalamata olives. But I decided to switch the lettuce out. And I could not love this combo of […]

This super simple, super quick, and ridiculously delicious teriyaki salmon bowl is so easy to make. Ever since Jade was a kid she has been a huge fan of these chicken teriyaki bowls we get at “East Wind” in our neighborhood mall. Any chance she gets, she’ll beg me to take her there to eat. […]

The best healthy Potato Salad that is just all-around delicious! I have to admit that everyone in my family is a fan of potatoes. Sweet potatoes, yams, fingerlings, russets, Yukon golds or red potatoes. It makes no difference if they are baked, hassle-backed, roasted, boiled, mashed, fried, or turned into a salad. I decided to […]

It’s all about the lamb chops when it comes to a delicious way to entertain with seriously simple easy to make food! Growing up in South Africa, I looked forward to the weekend braais (barbeques). Nothing could top the taste of grilled lamb chops. They are one of my favorite things to cook and eat. […]

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

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