I recently had the opportunity to exclusively interview Meli Alexander to learn five random facts about herself and what inspired her to become The DNA Chef. Check out my interview with Meli below:
Loryn: What is a goal you hope to accomplish this year?
Meli: I really hope to get more traction as The DNA Chef through social media. Helping others figure out their heritage through food excites me because it’s a beautiful way to honor our ancestors. It also helps to understand other cultures in a fun and interesting manner.
Loryn: Describe what a CulinaryGenealogist is in one sentence?
Meli: A culinary genealogist is a person who combines the disciplines of food and genealogy. The main emphasis is the study of family history through recipes and food culture.
Loryn: What inspired you to become a The DNA Chef?
Meli: During the pandemic, I had a lot of free time. I was blessed to have the opportunity to really connect to the genealogy world on social media. There are so many ways a genealogist can help others but I knew at some point I needed to differentiate myself. People such as Gena Philibert-Ortega and Michael W. Twitty inspired me through their passions of genealogy and food.
Loryn: What lesson has the entertainment industry taught you?
Meli: Perseverance is essential. I’ve been an actor for over a decade. It can be really frustrating sometimes when things don’t go as planned but if you’re really passionate about the industry, finding your own voice can definitely help. Finding your tribe is also really important; I was glad that finally happened through The Peoples Collective because you have the freedom to express yourself in a nurturing environment.
Loryn: What is something people would be surprised to learn about you?
Meli: Probably that I worked as a meat cutter before I became a full-time actor. It was fun because I also learned to be a better chef by teaching others how to cook safely and efficiently.
Be sure to stay updated with Meli Alexander by following her on Instagram: @melialexander