Meet Melonee O’Keefe | Pastry Chef

We had the good fortune of connecting with Melonee O’Keefe and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Melonee, why did you pursue a creative career?
My whole life from the point I can remember I have craved creative output. It’s just always been something my brain has connected with and something my spirit needs. Growing up I had multiple ways in which I would use my creative energy, it was always a way to express myself without using words. I’ve always loved to draw and craft and I used to play with writing songs and poetry. In high school, art class was always my favorite and I learned multiple mediums, of which, pastels were my ultimate favorite. I always asked for toys that had a creative element and art supplies were high on that list. As a young adult I would always shift from art project to art project as hobbies like decopage, paper card making, I even tried hand sewing purses at one point. I guess it was just natural for me to be drawn toward a creative career. I couldn’t imagine day to day life without that outlet, I would go crazy. The fact that pastry work is an art was definitely one of the main reasons I was attracted to it in the first place. The day I realized pastries could be art is the day I decided this is what I was going to do.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I am a pastry chef. I express myself through the food I make for others. It’s an art form that is a whole experience for the consumer. Its sight, smell, texture, taste, and sometimes even sound. I believe what sets me apart is my unwavering belief in quality. Quality of ingredients, flavors, and aesthetic. I have the capability of making food delicious and beautiful. I also have a strength in creativity and lack of fear when it comes to pastries. One of my favorite things is to be bold and mess around with recipes. Trying new flavors, new techniques, and not being scared of it going wrong. If it doesn’t work, that’s okay because the times when it does can produce something phenomenal. The journey definitely wasn’t easy. This industry is very rough and can beat you down. There were a couple of points of severe burnout in my career but at this point I feel I have figured it out. After having my son and my whole view on what matters shifting, handling my career eventually got easier. I now know to take care of myself and have learned to see my worth so I no longer take abuse from the industry. I have found balance and just focus on doing what I love to do in the pastry world. It’s a hard lesson to learn and an elusive space to find for yourself. Having my own business makes me so happy. I get to use my own recipes, put out my own quality standards, decide for myself the weight of the load, and ultimately make my own creative decisions. I want to ultimately become a business that is known for high standards that keeps loyal customers always coming back.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
For sure the metro parks. One of my absolute favorite things living in Cleveland is the metro parks system. we could go for a hike or a picnic or one of the many events they always have going on. Then we could find a market or small local concert somewhere because they are always happening around here as well. The city of Cleveland always has something happening somewhere with the majority of it all being free. For food we could get some amazing pizza from Harlow’s in Lakewood if we’re looking for more traditional wood fired pizza or amazing “Ohio style” pizza from Ohio Pie Co in Rocky River. I am a coffee shop fanatic and love so many of them around here. For coffee with delicious doughnuts it’d be Terrapin Coffee, for coffee and amazing croissants or shortbread cookies it’d be Blackbird Baking Co, for my favorite cappuccino and Lox it would be Caffeine, for my favorite mocha it would be Rising Star, for the best Saturday morning sit-in place it would be KB Confections (the BEST cinnamon rolls)… I could go on forever with coffee shops and cafes. I would also be sure to take them to KB Confections in Lakewood for the absolute best macarons in Cleveland. Any fan of macarons living here or visiting needs to have them from there. I would also take them to Lakewood park to enjoy the waterfront and great city view. Cleveland all around has so much to offer!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Ultimately, the day I realized I was going to be a pastry chef is the day I was watching TV and came across Wolf Gang Puck making this chocolate mousse cake that was an absolute piece of art. So I guess he could be the main catalyst, but I don’t think I could narrow it down to just one person. My journey and success has been an accumulation of many people that have influenced me throughout my life. Memories of my grandmothers homemade doughnuts. My mother was always baking and making Easter chocolates when I was young and of course her unwavering support of whatever I had my interest in. My Aunt Donna diving in wholeheartedly when she realized how passionate I was by showing me her recipes and buying me numerous baking books. My college chef’s passion always keeping me so enthused throughout my pastry degree. The very first pastry chef I worked under at Monterey Bay Fish Grotto in Pittsburgh taught me so much and I am especially grateful for him passing on his knowledge of how to make the absolute perfect cheesecake. All of my amazing friends who continue to be my biggest fans. I am a whole made from all of these pieces.

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