Welcome back to The Feminine Profiles podcast! In this episode, I sit down with Melissa Norton of Cucina Melissa to explore her inspiring journey from culinary school in Italy to building a thriving business centered around food, travel, and community. What started as a small pasta and pizza kit venture during the early days of COVID has grown into a sought-after culinary brand with an immersive Italian cooking school and a dedicated following!

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• The evolution of Cucina Melissa from a passion project to a full-scale culinary brand.

• How Melissa leveraged social media and influencer marketing to grow her business.

• The importance of community and connection in Italian food culture.

• The reality of entrepreneurship—burnout, resilience, and the power of delegation.

• What goes into creating unforgettable cooking retreats in Italy.

Resources & Links:

• Follow Melissa Norton on Instagram: @cucinamelissa

• Learn more about Cucina Melissa and upcoming cooking retreats: cucinamelissa.com

• Follow me on Instagram: @brookemackenzie____

• Work with me: brookembaldwin.com