Melba's Information

James Beard nominee & Winner of Throwdown with Iron Chef Bobby Flay, Melba Wilson is a Harlem native that was born, bred, and "buttered" in the vibrant neighborhood of New York City. Her journey in the culinary world has not only made her one of the most successful African-American women in the restaurant and catering business but also a proud ambassador of her beloved Harlem. Melba's has become a landmark, attracting music, TV, and movie stars, as well as New York City's elite, locals, and travelers from around the globe. Home to Melba’s Signature Chicken & Eggnog Waffles, Melba’s earned rave reviews from New York Magazine, Time Out, The New Yorker, The Daily News, Zagat, and Interview Magazine. The restaurant was also named Best Brunch for Kids by Time Out New York and Best Soul Food by Zagat and NewYork.com. Melba’s Catering has an extensive clientele, including Target, Nike, American Express, Pfizer, Time Warner, Bank of America, NFL, NBA, Transport Workers Union, Universal Records, The Archdiocese of New York, and several recording artists, including DJ Khaled, Jay-Z, the Zac Brown Band, and Katy Perry. Celebrity guests include Duke and Duchess of Sussex: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, Zendaya, Tom Holland, Michael Strahan, Sherri Shepherd, and Nick Cannon. In addition to her success in the culinary world, Melba demonstrated her commitment to giving back by providing meals to 100 children each week who were most vulnerable to food insecurities. This act of generosity reflected her deep-rooted connection to Harlem and her reputation as a socially conscious person. Today, she is the sole owner of Melba’s Restaurant, Melba’s Catering, Melba’s in Central Park (Wollman's Rink), Melba’s at the US Open, Melba’s at the Prudential Center with Melba’s at Grand Central, and Melba’s Newark (NJ) coming soon. Her commitment to providing a home-like dining experience has created a loyal following, with many considering Melba's their second home away from home.