ABOUT

Little Fox Kitchen began with a simple idea: cooking should be real, joyful, and genuinely hands-on. Not a demonstration. Not a chef performing at the front of the room. Instead, a place where the student is the one chopping, simmering, tasting, and discovering what they can do with their own two hands.

From the start, we believed that every person who walks into our kitchen carries a story—of curiosity, of family traditions, of flavors they love or have always wanted to learn. Our job isn’t to show off; it’s to guide, encourage, and bring those stories to life through food.

Our approach is rooted deeply in authenticity. We teach global cuisines the way they’re meant to be understood—respecting technique, history, and culture. Whether it’s rolling fresh pasta, learning the foundations of French sauces, exploring the spices of Southeast Asia, or mastering the balance of flavors in Latin American cooking, we focus on why things are done, not just how. Because understanding the “why” makes every home cook stronger and more confident.

Over the years, Little Fox Kitchen has become a gathering place for people who want to learn, laugh, and create something delicious together. Students tell us they love the energy in the room—the feeling of being part of something real, something tactile, something far more meaningful than just following a recipe. They step into the kitchen as beginners or curious cooks and often leave surprised by what they were able to accomplish.

What continues to inspire us are the moments we see in every class: the lightbulb realization when a technique finally clicks, the quiet pride after perfecting a dish from a faraway country, the shared laughter around the table at the end. These moments are why we do what we do. Because Little Fox Kitchen isn’t about the instructor; it’s about the student, the experience, and the journey.

Cooking is universal—but here, it becomes personal.

OUR TEAM

Melanie Cecilio

Founder/ CEO

Melanie has used her skills to teach, create recipes, and lead product projects for top global food brands like Kraft, Nestlé, Glad, Monde Nissin, Cuisinart, and Heinz-UFC. She is known for developing culinary programs and building strong client relationships. Melanie has taught cooking at places like Haven’s Kitchen, Hunt Hill Farm, Natirar, Sent Sovi in Barcelona, and was a chef instructor at the Institute of Culinary Education in New York for over 9 years. She also works as a culinary school consultant. Little Fox Kitchen is her dream: a place to share recipes learned from master chefs worldwide, inspire home cooks, and celebrate the joy of food. Melanie travels often to food destinations, bringing back stories and techniques that enrich her recipes, both new and traditional.

**Veronica Duco**
**Culinary Manager / Lead Chef Assistant**
I have loved food for as long as I can remember. After school, I would talk with a friend about what meals we planned to cook. In high school, I worked at Classic Thyme in Westfield, enjoying cooking classes and being around food. I earned my Culinary Arts degree from Johnson and Wales University in Rhode Island. Returning to New Jersey, I started at the Frog and the Peach in the pastry department and left as lead line cook to join Oceana in New York City.
In NYC, I gained valuable experience and also worked front of house at restaurants like Bouley, Per Se, Corton, Lincoln, and Ai Fiori. This gave me a deep understanding of both the kitchen and guest sides of the restaurant business. I later worked in fine dining in Chicago, Washington State, and Napa before having two daughters and moving back to New Jersey.
My husband is a chef in NYC, and food is central to our family. After having kids, the restaurant hours became tough, so I started a meal prep service, worked at my father’s deli, was a school chef, and now work for an HR company focused on hospitality. I’m thrilled to be part of the Little Fox family and this wonderful culinary team.

**Michael Pineiro**
**Lead Chef Instructor**
Michael’s love for food has been part of his life since childhood. From watching his grandmothers cook Sunday dinners to working in Michelin-starred kitchens worldwide, food has always been important to him. He started learning classic French cooking in vocational high school and gained experience in places from local delis to famous New York restaurants, including Michelin kitchens in Spain and well-known spots like Minibar by Jose Andrés, Bouley at Home, and Eleven Madison Park. His goal is to share fine dining skills and flavors in a way that’s easy and enjoyable for beginners.

**Jenny Belliveau**
**Guest Chef Instructor**
Baker Jenny Belliveau grew up in New Jersey with her Italian immigrant mother, where she first fell in love with handmade pastries. After ten years in animation and advertising, she followed her passion in 2016 by leaving her job and enrolling in a pastry course at the Institute of Culinary Education (ICE). There, she dreamed up a micro-bakery that blends nostalgic flavors with a modern twist. Jenny gained experience working as a chef’s assistant and pastry cook before launching A Butter Life in 2018 at the Westfield Farmers Market. The business quickly grew, reaching other markets and local coffee shops. Now, Jenny shares her knowledge at Little Fox Kitchen, helping students feel confident and excited about cooking.

**Marzena Papierz**
**Chef Assistant and Chef Instructor**
In 2014, I developed a strong interest in well-being and studied at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition. In 2016, I completed food therapy at the Natural Gourmet Institute and plant-based cooking at the Institute of Culinary Education. These programs taught me cooking skills and the importance of using fresh, local, seasonal ingredients for healthy diets.
That same year, I started Viride Oasis, a health coaching practice. As a Certified Functional Health Coach and Natural Food Chef, I help busy women reduce stress and improve their lives by focusing on gut-brain health and self-care, which are often ignored in busy lives.
Also in 2016, I began my "Mindful Kitchen" project, leading interactive plant-based cooking classes where we prepare tasty meals and talk about gut health, hormones, and wellness.
After finishing my culinary studies in 2022, I became a Private Chef for several families, offering weekly meal prep, pantry organization, and custom meal plans tailored to each client’s needs and lifestyle.

Story behind the name

Little Fox Kitchen draws its name from a literary source: Roald Dahl’s beloved book, The Fantastic Mr. Fox. In this charming story, Mr. Fox employs his ingenuity and innovation in an effort to stave off starvation for himself, his family, and the other underground creatures who live below “the witches tree.” Ultimately, Mr. Fox and his compatriots manage to outsmart three wicked farmers and enjoy a communal feast.

Little Fox Kitchen both pays tribute to Mr. Fox’s creativity and cleverness, and recognizes the importance of food as a celebration amongst neighbors.