Meet The Culinary Life Academy Team
Chef Danny
(he/him/his)
Founder and Educator
Hi and welcome to Culinary Life Academy!
In addition to being an incredibly lucky husband and father of two, I am also a NYC transplant, having moved to LA in 1990. Though I am still a die hard Yankee fan, I'm a sucker for California beaches! While I consider myself the most fortunate person on the planet to have created Culinary Life Academy because of the profound impact it has on all who experience it, teaching actually represents my second career. As hard as it is for me to remember at this point, I actually spent 18 years in the entertainment industry both in TV and Film - And I don't miss it at all!
Since taking Culinary Life Academy to the masses, I can proudly say that our cutting edge, empowering and fun experiential workshops have reached and taught hundreds of thousands of people all over the country, with millions yet to come!
I am surely proof that if you love what you do, you'll never have to work a day in your life!
Chef Zoey
(she/her/hers)
Educator
Hi, I'm Chef Zoey!
My love for cooking and food began way back when I started cooking with my Dad when I was three years old. As soon as I could make my own food, I did! I can even recall setting up my own restaurant in our house called (of course) "The Yum Yum Restaurant '' serving my family a full menu of items - And it definitely lived up to its name. Food and healthy cooking have played such a large role in my life that I have chosen to become a Registered Dietitian (with an emphasis on Sports Performance/Physiology). Which is really a combination of all things I love as I grew up in a big sports house and have been a dancer for forever.
I really enjoy bringing my passion for nutrition and education into every Culinary Life Academy workshop and hope I can help you live a healthy and happy life!
Our Team
Robin Melameth
(she/her/hers)
Educator/Curriculum Writer
Robin received her Masters of Education with a special focus on best practices in educational pedagogy and methodology. She has had 20+ years of classroom experience teaching youth to adults.
Robin truly enjoys culture, history and wisdom and relishes the opportunity to bring someone on my educational journey with me. Her favorite part about teaching is learning from her students; everyone has a story to tell and a lesson to teach. Her favorite food is anything with orange and dark chocolate together.
Ali Kelman
(she/her/hers)
Educator/Curriculum Writer
Ali received her Masters of Education and has 20+ years of teaching experience. In addition to writing curriculum for Culinary Life Academy, she presently also writes and teaches for Facing History and Ourselves.
Ali passionately enjoys the total body experience that Culinary Life Academy's learning model provides: Tasting and smelling the foods that reach back generations, and observing ancient cultural values that can foster community togetherness. Ali loves many foods. She loves chocolate desserts and is happiest celebrating with family and friends.
Tara Berger
(she/her/hers)
Designer / Communications
Tara is a designer/fine artist with years of teaching experience. She's developed engaging curricula that blend art and cooking while incorporating elements of pop culture, art, and literature. As a recognized K-12 art teacher, she was honored with the Sara & Simha Lainer Distinguished Educator Award for her contributions to education. Her passion for cooking has inspired her to write her own cookbook. Working with Culinary Life Academy, is the perfect combination of her three loves: teaching, cooking, and design!
