Melissa Strickland

Melissa Strickland has a diverse work experience spanning various roles in the hospitality industry. Melissa began their career at RIA in 2011 as a Lead Server / Fromager before moving on to Grace Restaurant in 2012, where they worked as a Captain. In 2013, they joined the BOKA Restaurant Group as a Manager. Melissa then took on the role of Service Manager at Japonais by Morimoto in early 2014. Later that year, they became the General Manager at La Dolce Vita, where they worked until 2016. From 2016 to 2019, Melissa served as the General Manager at Otium. Melissa currently holds the position of Senior Business Development Manager at Intelligentsia Coffee Inc. since May 2019 and was recently promoted to the role of Regional Sales Manager - Western Region in January 2021.

Melissa Strickland's education history begins in 2007 when they attended the Culinary Institute of America. Melissa completed an Associate's degree in Culinary Arts/Chef Training in 2008. Following that, they pursued a certification from the Court of Master Sommeliers and became a Certified Sommelier in 2014.