About Modern Honey by Melissa Stadler

After spending five years competing in cooking contests across the nation and teaching culinary classes, I started Modern Honey in December 2015 as an outlet for my creativity in the kitchen. I love sharing tried and true recipes from decadent desserts, quick and easy dinners, and healthy recipes.

As Seen In

Melissa Stadler Modern Honey Food Network Studios New York City

About Melissa Stadler

I was born to cook. As a toddler, you could find me on the tallest step stool, begging my Mom to let me help her in the kitchen. I watched my Mom and Grandma spend their days baking for their families and it was then I discovered that making food is a wholehearted expression of love.

As the only girl in a household with five brothers, I had to find my niche. At an early age, I learned that spending time in the kitchen helped me survive growing up with so many boys. I spent my teenage years studying cookbooks and tweaking recipes in my Mom’s kitchen. After I got married, I spent my days creating new and innovative recipes for my friends and family and discovered how much I loved it.

In 2010, I started competing in and winning recipe contests. I spent years traveling the country competing in some of the most prestigious cooking and baking contests (some listed below).

I taught culinary classes for years and was a recurring chef on a TV show called the Valley Dish. I finally started Modern Honey as a way to share my tried and true, tested recipes with my friends and family.

Recipe Contest Experiences:

Two-time Pillsbury Bake-Off Finalist and competed for $1 Million Dollars
Seen on Cooking Channel’s Perfect 3 Show in Food Network Studios for my “I Want to Marry You Cookies”
Named the most popular recipe of 2012 on Cooking Channel
Cover of Food Network Magazine — Winner of Food Network Bake Sale Contest.
The White House Kids State Dinner Finalist
Truvia Baking Star Competition Finalist – New York City
BEST FOOD BLOG from Phoenix Magazine — 2018
Recurring Guest Chef on “Valley Dish” TV Show (show how to make a meal in 30 minutes, start to finish)
Barnes and Noble Cookie Cookbook Bake-Off Finalist
Featured in Phoenix Magazine — What’s in Your Kitchen with Melissa Stadler
Zac Brown Band + Bai Castaway Drink Grand Prize Winner

About my Family:

I live in sunny Arizona with my husband of 27 years, our four children (plus one son-in-law), and our Goldendoodle, Bentley. My family is my whole world and my most avid taste testers. I love being a Mom!

Our dog, Bentley, is another member of our family! He can be found by my side at all times and when I try to work, he thinks he is a “lap dog.”

Education

I attended Brigham Young University and Arizona State University. I graduated with Cum Laude Honors from ASU with a BA degree in Communications. I continue to love to learn!

Melissa Stadler Modern Honey Food Network Studios Test Kitchen New York City

I lived out one of my dreams by filming a show in the Food Network Studios in New York City. It was so much fun being in the test kitchen and then filming a show for my “I Want to Marry You Cookies” Recipe. It was definitely a bucket list experience!

Modern Honey Team:

I have the best team and love working with them! My oldest daughter, Sierra, works at Modern Honey and she is an amazing help! She graduated from BYU 2 1/2 years ago with a degree in Health and Wellness and she and her husband reside in the heart of Boston.

My 82-year old Mom is an amazing cook and I have learned so much from her! We recipe test together so she is my ultimate taste tester (alongside my husband). I have always wanted to be just like her! I am so grateful for her too.

I LOVE what I do! I recipe test and photograph every single recipe until I get it just right. I share recipes that are tested to perfection, ensuring that anyone can replicate them at home with ease. I have such a love for bringing people together through food.

Along with being a cooking and baking enthusiast and cookie connoisseur…

I am a lover of home design and DIY projects, traveling, photography, crafting, reading, outdoor activities, exercising, being on the lake, hiking, farmer’s markets, bargain shopping, watching sports (Go Cougs!) a little reality TV, trips to Home Goods, entertaining, spending time with friends and family, and being a mama to my kids.