Melissa Rodriguez - Crane Club

WHO: Chef Melissa Rodriguez is chef-partner of The Crane Club.

ABOUT: Rodriguez is one of New York City’s most celebrated culinary talents, known for her fearless leadership in the kitchen and her transformative approach to fine dining. A graduate of the Culinary Institute of America, Melissa began her career at Oceana before joining Daniel Boulud’s Restaurant Daniel in Manhattan, where she rose from line cook to sous chef. In 2011, she joined the team at Del Posto, ultimately becoming Executive Chef and the first woman to lead a restaurant honored with four stars from The New York Times. During her tenure there, her refined, thoughtful Italian cuisine earned international acclaim, including a Michelin star and multiple critical accolades. 

After Del Posto closed in 2020, Melissa joined forces with longtime collaborator Jeff Katz to reimagine the iconic 85 10th Avenue space. Their vision unfolded in a trio of distinct restaurants — the Michelin-two-starred Al Coro, the wood-fired pizza destination Mel’s, and the subterranean cocktail lounge Discolo — showcasing her range from classic Italian technique to bold, contemporary flavor. Most recently, she has launched Crane Club, a wood-fired grill-forward restaurant and members’ lounge in partnership with Tao Group Hospitality. 

WHAT: For our grand finale, Chef-Partner Rodriguez brings an ambitious and elevated grill-focused menu that captures the spirit of summer — and has already captured the interest of Michelin, Wine Enthusiast, and Eater. Rodriguez is used to the spotlight after receiving four NY Times stars at Del Posto and two Michelin stars at Al Coro.

WHEN: Thursday, May 14, 6:00 - 8:00 PM EST

WHERE: De Gustibus Culinary Studio