Gather Culinary’s mission is to help cultivate confidence, creativity, and calm in the kitchen and use cooking as the path toward connection and joy. Conceptualized and led by Melanie Underwood, a Culinary Instructor and certified high school culinary arts teacher with over 26 years of experience, Gather Culinary offers classes for children and adults through after-school programs, private, in-person, and virtual classes. Melanie’s unique approach uses food as a medium for teaching acceptance, kindness, and connection. She creates a safe and comfortable environment where others feel good about themselves and, in turn, feel safe enough to trust others, creating a space of caring and kindness through cooking. Gather Culinary creates unique experiences that seek to inspire connection, community, and conversation through culinary arts.