Melanie Young
(She/Her)
- Blogger, The Connected Table Live and Writer, Freelance
- Host, The Connected Table Live
- Host, Fearless Fabulous You
- Author, The Connected Table
New Orleans, United States
As seen in:
Fearless Fabulous You,
The Connected Table,
The Connected Table Live,
HuffPost,
That Was The Week (Podcast),
The Epoch Times,
Eater,
Greatist,
Wine Enthusiast Magazine,
KALW-FM (San Francisco, CA),
FoodService Director,
Wine Industry Advisor,
SevenFifty Daily
and
Covers:
wine, food, travel, women's health and entrepreneurship, reinvention
2. Inspiring women/entrepreneurs- profiles
3. women's health. I wrote a guide for women with breast cancer.
Doesn't Cover:
product launches, apps, marketing campaigns, pharma, investors, seasonal products and launches. I have a separate program under "sponsored content" for these. Open to writing custom content.
Writer: wine, food, travel & health. Host: The Connected Table and Fearless Fabulous You podcasts. Author: Getting Things Off My Chest: A Survivor's Guide.
Articles by Melanie Young
Memories of a Good Meal-Finding Resilience Through Food
What does the memory of a family meal mean to you? For survivors of World War II and the Holocaust, food memories provided an important emotional connection to families lost and traditions preserved. Award winning Chef and Restaurateur Alon Shaya and Culinary Historian and Author June Hersh have co-authored a stunning book entitled Memories of a Good Meal: Recipes of Resilience Inspired by Stories of World War II Survival.
Dr. Marion Nestle- A Leading Voice of Public Health, Food Policy & Nutrition
When food policy, nutrition and public health topics are being debated and making headlines, the news media turn to Dr. Marion Nestle, one of the world’s most influential voices on these topics. Dr. Nestle is the Paulette Goddard Professor Emerita of Nutrition, Food Studies, and Public Health at New York University, which she chaired from 1988 to 2003 and officially retired in 2017. She is also a visiting professor of Nutritional Sciences at Cornell University.
A Chef’s Journey from Misfit Youth to Michelin Stars- Patrick O’Connell
Recognized as a pioneer of contemporary American cuisine, Chef Patrick O’Connell has welcomed luminaries from around the world to his acclaimed restaurant, the Inn at Little Washington. In 2018, we interviewed O’Connell on The Connected Table Live podcast when the Inn at Little Washington celebrated its fortieth anniversary and was about to receive its first three-star rating from the Michelin Guide after many years holding two stars (which it still retains).
Gruet: How a French Champagne Family Achieved Sparkling Success in New Mexico
New Mexico has one of the oldest viticultural histories in the United States. The first documented grapevines were recorded in 1629. Today New Mexico is home to more than forty wineries throughout three American Viticultural Areas (AVA). However, one winery family name stands out for putting New Mexico wines on the map, and that is Gruet. Gilbert Gruet, founder of the family’s Champagne house, Gruet et Fils, visited New Mexico in 1983 and saw its viticultural potential.
A Seat at the Table with Rick Blount, Fifth Generation, Antoine’s, New Orleans
Serving as the fifth-generation steward of the oldest restaurant in New Orleans and the oldest continually family-run restaurant in the United States falls on the broad shoulders of Rick Blount, CEO of Antoine’s Restaurant. Blount is the great-great-grandson of this restaurant’s original founder, Antoine Alciatore, a young French chef who came to New Orleans in the 1800’s and opened Antoine’s in 1840.
A Retro Chic Hotel in Athens’ Monastiraki Neighborhood
A boutique hotel with a large dose of chic, the Athens Retro, blends colorful design and thoughtful considerations for its guests. The hotel is located in Monastiraki at 11 Vissis Street in a neighborhood historically known for its hardware shops and, notably, doorknobs. The mid-twentieth century building designed by Modern Greek architect, Kiprianos Biris, once served as a hardware store and has withstood the test of time.
Enchanting Hydra- Close To Athens, A World Apart
An invitation to a destination wedding in Hydra, Greece, is hard to pass up, even if it is taking place in the high, hot summer season. Located in the Saronic Gulf about a ninety-minute ferry ride from Athens, Hydra (or Ydra) is a world apart from the crowds and cars of Greece’s capital city. Hydra is one of the few places in the world where cars are banned. Transportation is by mule, water taxi or foot.
Explore Mesogaia in Greece’s Attica Region Just Beyond Athens
Athens, Greece, is rich in history, sights, and traditions, but there is more to explore just beyond the city in the region of Attica, which surrounds the city. Close Athens International Airport is Mesogaia (Middle Earth) in East Attica. It is a fertile farmland of vineyards, olive and fig tree groves, seaside villages and culinary traditions and products.
A Visit To Fattoria Uccelliera (The”Birdhouse”) in Colline Pisane
The Colline Pisane Wine Trail (Pisan Hills) is a picturesque region of vineyards and olive groves south of Pisa. It was here that we visited Fattoria Uccelliera, a hidden gem of a winery and agritourism located in Crespina Lorenzana forty kilometers west of Florence. Antonio Bullieri and Maria Elena Poggianti acquired Uccelliera’s land in the 1960s. The property is 200 hectares and roughly 200 meters above sea level surrounded by dense forests, vineyards, and olive groves.
Vernaccia di San Gimignano Marks 750 Years as Tuscany’s “White Queen”
The hilltop medieval walled city of San Gimignano with its many stone towers is one of the most popular destinations in Tuscany, and for good reason. There are the Michelin-rated restaurants, award-winning Gelateria Dondoli, and 360-views from the towers, all built before the renaissance. The surrounding countryside is home to Tuscany’s- and one of Italy’s- most renowned white wines, Vernaccia di San Gimignano DOCG.
Bolgheri DOC – Birthplace of “Super Tuscan”- Meet a Next Generation Producer
Situated in the wild southern coast of Tuscany, the Bolgheri DOC is best known in the wine world as the birthplace of the “Super Tuscan” wine, thanks to innovative wine producers like Tenuta San Guido (maker of Sassicaia), Ornellaia, and Grattamacco.
Tuscany’s Monteregio Di Massa di Marittima DOC -A Tiny Gem
The Monteregio Di Massa Marittima DOC is a small wine production area just inland from the Tyrrhenian Sea and encircled by the larger Maremma Toscana DOC. Nearby are the Grosetto Metalliferous Hills, a vast architectural site whose iron rich soils impart the “terra rossa” in many of the vineyards. The DOC includes native vines such as Sangiovese, Trebbiano, Vermentino and Malvasia as well as Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Sauvignon Blanc, and Viognier.
Volcanic Wines of Mount Amiata – Montecucco Sangiovese DOCG
Driving along the Orcia River Valley just south of Siena, the rolling hills lined with cypress trees depict picturesque scenes of Tuscany. This is Sangiovese territory at its best. On one side of the river, you will find Montalcino, home to the renowned Brunello di Montalcino DOCG. and on the other side, Orcia D.O.C. We have spent time in both regions visiting producers and tasting exceptional Sangiovese wines.
Frank Brigsten’s Namesake Restaurant Celebrates 40 Years
Beloved New Orleans Chef Frank Brigtsen is widely recognized for revitalizing Creole Acadian cooking. This year his namesake restaurant, Brigtsen’s, marks 40 years since its opening in 1986. Located in a charming Victorian cottage at 723 Dante Street in the Uptown Riverbend neighborhood, Brigsten’s draws a loyal clientele of regulars, as we saw firsthand this past Friday when we dined there for an early dinner.
Rocca di Frassinello: A Masterful Collaboration of Wine and Design
In the Tuscan region of the Maremma, Rocca di Frassinello is the brainchild and joint venture between media magnate, Paolo Panerai, owner of Domini Castellare di Castellina, and Baron Eric de Rothschild of Chateau Lafite, owner of the legendary Bordeaux first growth property. Both Panerai and Baron de Rothschild are passionate about the intersection of art, design and fine wine.
“Heroic Viticulture” in Massa Carrara and the Candia Hills
Whether it is supplied to homes, commercial buildings or used to create works of art, much of the world’s finest marble stone is sourced in the steep mountain slopes of the Apuan Alps above the seaside towns of Massa & Carrara, not far from Pisa. This area is located in the northwestern tip of Tuscany. To the east are the Candia Hills and Apuan Alps. To the west is the Tyrrhenian Sea and many resorts.
A Visit To Fattoria Uccelliera (The”Birdhouse”) in Colline Pisani
Antonio Bullieri and Maria Elena Poggianti acquired Fattoria Uccelliera’s land in the 1960s. The winery is located in Crespina Lorenzana in the southern hills of the province of Pisa, forty kilometers west of Florence. Production includes wines from both the Colline Pisani DOC and Chianti DOCG appellations. Fattoria Uccelliera is both a winery and an agritourism with separate buildings on the property for overnight accommodations Aerial view of Fattoria Uccelliera.
The Italian Montecarlo- A Tiny Tuscan DOC Gem
Tell anyone you are visiting Monte Carlo, and naturally the glamorous casino town on the French Riviera comes to mind. But Tuscany’s Montecarlo DOC and its medieval fortress-capped village by the same name are a world apart. Located in the northwest province of Lucca, DOC Montecarlo is a hilly region with soils of clay, limestone and sandstone, blessed with diurnal temperature swings that are ideal for cultivating grapes to make wine. In the distance are the Apuan Alps.
Tuscan Wine & Food Trails: The Strada del Vino e Olio di Lucca
North of Pisa is the province of Lucca whose centerpiece is the walled city of the same name. We spent some time in the city of Lucca in 2025 when we attended Vini delle Coste, a presentation of wines from both coasts of Italy. Lucca is a city of culture and taste to put on your Tuscany travel itinerary. It is the birthplace of Giacomo Puccini, composer of world-renowned operas including La Bohème, Tosca, Madame Butterfly, and Turandot. The Puccini Museum and opera house are both worth visiting.
Tuscany’s Caseificio Busti 70 Years Making Pecorino Cheese
Any winery stop in Tuscany will likely include a plate of sliced Pecorino, a sheep’s milk cheese known for its lovely flavors and ability to pair beautifully with the region’s wines. Caseificio Busti is a family-run producer of Pecorino in the Strade del Vino Colline Pisane. A tour and lunch that should be on your itinerary for a memorable experience.
Suis Generis: A New Orleans Restaurant Dedicated to Zero Food Waste
Suis Generis is one of the more unique restaurants in New Orleans. Located in the Bywater neighborhood and open just three nights a week (Friday-Sunday). Suis Generis creates and posts weekly changing menus with most ingredients sourced from its Tiki Farm in nearby Pearlington, Mississippi. Owner/Executive Chef Ernest Foundas is passionate about zero-food waste and building umami into every dish using homemade koji, miso, vinegars, kosho, gochujang, amino pastes & amazake from scratch.
Kenji Kazoku Delivers Refined Omakase & Sushi Experience
Kenji Kazoku, an upscale Japanese restaurant and sushi bar, opened April 29, 2026, in Old Metairie, an affluent neighborhood a short drive from Uptown New Orleans. This new concept is the latest in the partnership between Malachi Dupre and Chef Matthew Nguyen who run Kenji Omakase, an intimate omakase and sushi bar located in the International Hotel in downtown New Orleans, and Casa Kenji in Houston.
Vichyssoise
As the temperature rises here in New Orleans, the warmer weather has me craving chilled soup. Living in the land of gumbo, warm rich soulful soups are plentiful. But the last thing I want to eat in the heat is hot soup. I enjoy many types of chilled soup but the one that stirs the happiest memories for me from my childhood is vichyssoise, thick creamy potato and leek soup served chilled. My late father, Melvin Young, adored vichyssoise.
Bananas Foster: Brennan’s Iconic New Orleans Dish Celebrates 75 Years
Holy Flambeaux! Brennan’s Restaurant hosted a banana bacchanal in its French Quarter courtyard on April 6 to celebrate Bananas Foster Day. This year marks the 75th anniversary of this iconic New Orleans dish which was created at the restaurant in 1951. Third-generation restaurateur, Ralph Brennan, fondly recalls the story of his mentor and aunt, Ella Brennan, creating the dish to impress one of Brennan’s VIP customers, Richard Foster, chairman of the New Orleans Crime Commission.
P&J Oyster Co – a Beloved New Orleans Institution Celebrates 150 Years
New Orleans is home to numerous multi-generational family businesses including P&J Oyster Co. which celebrates 150 years in 2026. It is the nation’s oldest family-run oyster company and the primary supplier of Louisiana oysters. P&J Oyster Co. was established in 1876 by two families, one from Sicily and the other from Austria, who emigrated to New Orleans and established separate businesses.
Spanish Red Wines Beyond Tempranillo- Five Varieties To Know
Spain is the third largest wine producer in the world after Italy and France. However, Spain has the most land under vine, close to 3 million acres (1.2 million hectares) with more than 100 wine appellations and over 200 different grape varieties. The first Spanish red variety that usually comes to mind is Tempranillo which accounts for roughly twenty percent of the vineyard surface planted in Spain.
Safta’s Table, an Homage To Alon Shaya’s Grandmother
We’ve been craving a casual restaurant with a casual Mediterranean -Middle Eastern inspired menu in our Lakeview neighborhood of New Orleans- somewhere that we could have a healthy nosh and plenty of options. Naturally we were delighted when Safta’s Table opened in March at 120 Allen Toussant Blvd. Safta’s Table is the newest member of Alon and Emily Shaya’s Pomegranate Hospitality family of restaurants which also include Saba and Miss River both in New Orleans and Safta in Denver.
Dr. Liz Thach – California’s First Woman Master of Wine and 7th in the U.S.A.
Serving the Wine Industry Through Education, Research and Communication Dr. Liz Thach MW is the seventh woman in the United States and first in California to attain the Master of Wine (May 2011). Since August 2023 she has served as President of the non-profit Wine Market Council (WMC), only the fourth person to hold this position since the organization’s founding in 1996. One of her key initiatives has been to expand the WMC’s cutting-edge consumer research, now four studies a year.
Valdarno di Sopra: Elegant Wines in a Country Chic Setting
The Province of Arezzo in Eastern Tuscany historically served as a rural country retreat for wealthy Florentines to escape the city's crushing summer heat. Today, it still retains a chic country feel with lush landscapes of rolling hills, horse farms and the fertile foothills that back up to the Apennine Mountains. It is also where you can find some exceptional wines, both single variety and blends. The focus is small yields, high quality and single cru wines.
Tujague's New Orleans Celebrates 170 Years 1856-2026 - The Connected Table
Some restaurants choose to reinvent themselves to stay relevant over the years and attract new customers. Others stay consistent to their traditions and unique charms including their signature dishes and drinks. New Orleans has several restaurants in the latter category including Tujague’s which marks 170 years of operation in 2026.
Tasting the Old & The New at Anteprime Toscana 2026 Chianti Classico Collection
The Chianti Classico DOCG is home to many of Italy’s most historic producers. It is also one of Europe’s oldest demarcated wine regions dating to 1716. Every February, the Consorzio Chianti Classico DOCG debuts its new vintages as part of Anteprime Toscana. For several days, media, trade and consumers can taste hundreds of wines from throughout Tuscany. Attending Anteprime Toscana is an annual ritual for us that we rarely miss.
Wine’s Most Inspiring People: Doug Frost, MS, MW - A Veteran Wine Educator Turns Washington Vintner
By Melanie Young Many industry professionals would gladly rest on their laurels after becoming only one of four individuals* in the world to achieve both Master Sommelier (1991) and Master of Wine (1993) distinctions. But Doug Frost seems unstoppable after four decades in wine.
Destination: Portugal's Douro River Valley
Portugal’s Douro River Valley is one of world’s first demarcated wine regions since 1756. It is home to two of Portugal’s most notable Protected Designations of Origin (PDO) – Douro and Porto. This area of steep, terraced vineyards overlooking the Douro River was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2001. It has also been named one of the world’s top wine destinations to visit, and we had the chance to do so in December 2025.
Tasting Wines of Piedmont at Grandi Langhe & Touring Turin
We recently attended the tenth annual Grandi Langhe, the flagship event dedicated to the wines of Piedmont. Organized by Consorzio di Tutela Barolo Barbaresco Alba Langhe e Dogliani. Grandi Langhe took place in Turin January 26-27, attracting more than 6500 wine professionals from around the world.
Chef Peter Merriman, Hawaii's Culinary Pioneer, Is Still Making Waves
If you’ve dined in Hawaii on wok-charred ahi tuna, macadamia nut-crusted local fish, Kalua pig, Marui Nui venison or smoked taro hummus, you can thank Chef Peter Merriman. He is one of 12 chef- pioneers of Hawaii regional cuisine which emphasizes locally sourced ingredients from farmers and fisherman.
Frost Is in the Vineyards & It's Good! Spotlight on Doug Frost MS/MW
Doug Frost has attained multiple recognitions in the hospitality industry. He is the first individual to attain both the Master of Wine and Master Sommelier certification and only four individuals in the world to hold this dual distinction. He is a cofounder of BAR (Beverage Alcohol Resource), a certification program for bartending professionals. He served as the longtime Wine Director for the award-winning American Restaurant in Kansas City.
Famiglia Alfredo Bertolani Celebrates 100 Years
Alfredo Bertolani founded the winery that bears his name on April 27, 1925, in Italy’s Reggio Emilia. This region is known for its DOC Lambrusco sparkling wines. In Scandiano where Cantina Alfredo Bertolani is located, the family helped establish the D.O.C. Bianco di Scandiano in 1976 to protect the native Spergola, an ancient local white grape variety used in the local sparkling wine. Spergola is known for producing wines with high acidity and notes of green apple, almond and white flowers.
Wine’s Most Inspiring People: Kevin Zraly — America’s Wine Educator Raises a Glass to 50 Years
By Melanie Young Ask many people in the industry where they began their wine education and their response is “Kevin Zraly.” Over the past 50 years, Zraly has shared his passion and knowledge for wine with more than 30,000 students. He is founder of the Windows on the World Wine School, which had a successful 40-year run (1976-2016). His bestselling book, Windows on the World Complete Wine Course, now in its 35th edition, has sold more than 4 million copies.
Smoke Signals- Meaningful Conversations at The Southern Smoke Foundation Symposium
The nonprofit Southern Smoke Foundation held a one-day symposium at the Hotel Saint Vincent in New Orleans on November 10. Entitled “Ideas. Insights. Industry Impact,” the symposium was presented by OpenTable with a host of other sponsors. The day included four panel discissions a roster of respected industry experts that were open and honest about the challenges and opportunities faced in the hospitality industry.
New York's Dr. Konstantin Frank Commemorates a Sparkling Milestone
New York State ranks third in U.S. wine production after California and Washington State. We have visited several of New York’s key wine regions and spent two blissful weeks in late 2020 in the Finger Lakes, which is home to 150 wineries. If you have not visited the Finger Lakes, this region has stunning landscape and many recreational activities. In addition to its abundance of mainly family-run wineries, there are many craft distilleries and breweries.
Drew Nieporent Shares Stories from the Restaurant Trenches
The story of Drew Nieporent‘s 40-plus years running some of New York City’s most iconic restaurants is also a history of the city’s highest of highs and lowest of lows. Through it all, Drew has been a survivor who has landed on his feet thanks to street smarts and an intuitive skill for understanding what his customers want and delivering on it.
Lambrusco: One Wine, Many Styles - Fizzy, fresh, low alcohol and versatile
How much do you know about Lambrusco wines? If you say, “not much,” you are not alone. Produced exclusively in Italy’s Emilia-Romagna region between Modena and Bologna, Lambrusco for decades had a reputation as a sweetish sparkling red wine, easy to drink and not much to think about. A recent discovery trip to Modena and the surrounding production zones revealed that Lambrusco is much more than this.
Dickie Brennan, 3rd Generation Restaurateur & New Orleans Culinary Ambassador
What’s in a name? In New Orleans, Brennan is synonymous with great southern hospitality. We’ve had the pleasure of featuring a few Brennan family members on The Connected Table Live, including the late, great Ella Brennan, her daughter, Ti Adelaide Martin, and cousin, Lally Brennan, all family proprietors of the legendary Commander’s Palace.
At The Kingsway, Ashwin Vilkhu’s Pan-Asian Menu Stirs Memories of Family Meals
The Vilkhu family, who is behind the acclaimed Indian-Creole restaurant, Saffron Nola, at 4128 Magazine Street in New Orleans, has opened a second fine dining restaurant nearby called The Kingsway. The menu serves Pan Asian dishes with a modern twist under the direction of Chef Ashwin Vilkhu, marking his first solo venture. Wok cooking takes center stage in the kitchen with about one-third of the dishes on the menu cooked in this traditional Asian high heat culinary technique.
Maui Rising- Eat, Drink & Enjoy the Aloha Spirit
Consistently ranked among the most popular vacation destinations in the world, the island of Maui dazzles with stunning scenery, turquoise waters, Pan Pacific cuisines and Hawaiian history and culture. We fell in love with Maui in 2006 and purchased a vacation ownership at the Westin Kaanapali Resort. We have returned to Maui at least ten times during different months of the year. Naturally we were devastated in 2023 when wildfires devastated the historic town of Lahaina.
The Allure of "Volcanic Wines" – with John Szabo MS - The Connected Table
Volcanic soils account for only around one percent of the earth’s surface, but they produce some of the world’s most alluring wines. Many are familiar with the volcanic wines of Italy, Greece, Spain, California and Pacific Northwest in the Northern Hemisphere. And below the equator there are Chile and New Zealand But then there are the smaller volcanic pockets like the Azores and Canary Islands. Still, not all volcanic areas can produce wine. There are many factors involved.
A Tour of Montefalco Wineries & Strada Del Sagrantino
During our most recent visit to Montefalco to attend the Anteprime Montefalco June 16-18, 2025, we visited 14 producers at their properties to taste their wines. Given we were only there three days, that’s about five producers a day! We’re providing a short summary of the wineries we visited below with links to their websites. Reservations are recommended for all winery visits.
Montefalco: Traditional Wines with Contemporary Appeal
What is a “contemporary Montefalco wine?” That was the question posed by Italian wine educator, Cristina Mercuri, at a presentation held during Anteprime Montefalco presented by the Consorzio Tutela Vini Montefalco June 16-18, 2025. Mercuri led attendees, mainly wine journalists, through different flights of blind tastings to challenge our palates. Each flight included an outlier wine that was not from the Montefalco production zone.
Castello Nipozzano- A Crown Jewel of Frescobaldi in Rufina
The Frescobaldi family dates back 30 generations in Italy and owns eight wine estates throughout Tuscany: Castello Nipozzano, Tenuta Perano, Tenuta CastelGiocondco, Tenuta Castiglioni, Castello Pomino, Tenuta Ammiraglia, Tenuta Calimaia and Remole. The crown jewel for its history and grandeur is Castello Nipozzano in DOC Rufina, a small Chianti production zone known for its exceptional wines.
Decugnano Dei Barbi – Winery in Orvieto with a History of “Firsts” - The Connected Table
Decugnano Dei Barbi sits high on a hill with sweeping views of northeast Orvieto. The day we visited this past June, there was a light breeze blowing and the scent of blooming oleander in the air. During the Middle Ages the land of Decugnano belonged to the Cathedral of Orvieto. Wine was produced here specifically for the Orvieto clergy. In 1973 when Claudio Barbi first came to this property, it had been abandoned for a long time.
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