Melissa Perello

I am so pleased to share that I’ll be partnering with @gingkointegrative for an upcoming panel at Octavia. I first met Rachel, the founder of Gingko Integrative Medicine, during my IVF journey. At the time, I needed more than just medical guidance; I needed a coach and support with acute knowledge, and, honestly, someone who could navigate the emotional complexity of it all with me. Rachel became that person. She showed up for me in so many ways: advisor, teacher, and constant source of grounded insight. We’ve stayed close through the years and so, when she told me she was building a personalized, integrative medicine practice dedicated to women and their hormonal health across the reproductive lifetime from menarche, fertility, perimenopause and menopause’s “second spring”— I knew she would be bringing relief to so many others. I’ve found this current stage of life to be challenging in ways I didn’t quite expect. It’s an incredibly under-resourced space for women, and having Rachel as a support system has been a gift. That’s why I’m excited to open up the doors at Octavia to introduce her and the Gingko team to our community. We’re hosting an intimate panel to talk about: HRT nuances, sleep disturbances, metabolic shifts, and how to actually thrive in this decade rather than just “getting through” it. I’d love for you to join us for an evening of real conversation, light bites from our kitchen, and a wealth of information from @gingkointegrative . The Details: Event: Thrive in Peri/Menopause: A Panel on Personalized Care Where: Octavia, 1701 Octavia St, San Francisco, CA When: Monday, May 18 | 5:30 PM - 6:45 PM What: An integrative medicine lens on midlife health + Octavia bites and NA drinks. Spaces are limited to keep the conversation intimate. Link in bio to reserve your seat. 🤍 #OctaviaSF #GingkoIntegrative #WomensHealth #Perimenopause

Acclaimed chef-owner Melissa Perello (@m_perello ) has spent over a decade shaping SF dining at the helm of @sf_frances and @sf_octavia . Tap the link in bio for her go-to spots on days off

During last week’s winter break, our dining room was a whirlwind of activity as it underwent a total transformation. Completing a renovation of this scale in under seven days is a tall task that can only be managed by the best of the best. We are incredibly blessed by the extraordinary @caroline_lizarraga and her team, who worked tirelessly to create breathtaking hand-painted murals and intricate detailing throughout the space. To Caroline and our village who poured their talent, long hours, and know-how into this tight timeline, we couldn’t be more grateful. Our little blue dining room is shining bright ✨ and we can’t wait to welcome you back in. 💙 #octaviasf #carolinelizarraga #restaurantinterior #muralart

Join us at Frances for a special evening celebrating the release of @katieparla ’s Rome: A Culinary History, Cookbook, and Field Guide to the Flavors that Built a City. Our guest of honor, Katie Parla, will be signing books and answering questions throughout the evening, bringing two decades of culinary experiences in Rome and Italy to share. Chef Melissa Perello has prepared a seasonal menu directly inspired by Katie’s profound knowledge of Roman cuisine, entirely composed of recipes found in the book. Italian wine specialist David Lynch (North Berkeley Imports) has curated an all-Italian wine pairing and bottle list to accompany the evening’s menu, and He’ll be onsite adding storied context from the world of wine. Each ticket includes the evening’s menu and a signed copy of Rome: A Culinary History, Cookbook, and Field Guide to the Flavors that Built a City. Wine pairings, beverages, and supplements will be elected and billed onsite. SUNDAY, JANUARY 11 Tickets are on sale now! 🔗 #katieparla #rome #francessf #melissaperello #castrosf

A few frames from Monday night’s @blvcksvm ‘michelinman’ dinner collaboration at Octavia. It was truly one of those special evenings where everything—the food, the music, the energy—came together. I was proud to see the whole team flex outside our comfort zone and rise to meet the creative challenge of the moment. Thank you Ben @blvcksvm for letting us be a part of the movement, and making the night an unforgettable one. Many thanks to our incredible partners who made this night possible: @blackbird @thecaviarco Thank you @lahunchoball for capturing the night. @blvcksvm is my new favorite rapper. Looking forward to the next collab! #OctaviaSF #BlvckSvm #michelinman #ChefCollaboration #SFfood #SanFrancisco #TheCaviarCo #Blackbird

Thinking back a few years to the early days of Frances, there was a vibrant energy about the team, and a real feeling of building something special. It was during that time that a young talent named @karihaywardshaughnessy walked through our doors. Her warmth took hold instantly, and even then, her future was bright. Watching people pour their heart into your kitchen and go on to create their own world is one of the greatest joys I’ve experienced as a chef. Kari took the foundation we shared here in the Bay Area and built a spectacular culinary vision in Oregon. She’s a force: a James Beard finalist, a restaurant owner, and an important voice in the next generation of seasonal cooking. At her restaurant, @haywardrestaurant , she champions zero-waste principles and the finest ingredients of the New Northwest. This is why I’m so thrilled to welcome her back. Join us for “Welcome Home, Hayward” on Monday, November 10th. It’s a full-circle moment to have Kari back in the Frances kitchen. We’re co-creating a very special chef collaboration dinner in support of @npr , whose work is more critical now than ever.  With support from @OpenTable and @MadeIn . Secure your seats before they disappear! Link in bio for tickets.

A long overdue recap and thank you for a beautiful night on October 7th at Octavia celebrating Jeremy Fox’s incredible new book, On Meat! It was such a treat to have Jeremy in our kitchen and share his work with our guests. Jeremy and I go way back— and it’s truly a pleasure when we can come together and cook, even if it’s only once in a great while. A massive thank you to Jeremy Fox for sharing his passion and his book with us, and to @phaidonpress , @resy , and @fsembarcadero for their partnership in making this night happen. If you weren’t able to make it, or if you were and want to keep cooking Jeremy’s brilliant recipes at home, you must get your hands on a copy of On Meat from @omnivorebooks or your local retailer. It’s a stunner! 📚🥩 Cheers to good food, good friends, and great books! Love, Melissa P.

A few photos from a whirlwind trip to The Big Apple 🍎 for the Food & Wine Best New Chefs celebration this week. Connecting with old friends and meeting the next wave of culinary leaders were true highlights. As were pastries at @lysee.nyc , and meals at @penny_newyork , and @smithereensnyc . Thinking about this year’s class and knowing what a catalyst this honor has been for myself and so many others, I’m excited to imagine what’s in store for each of them. An immense congratulations to all the winners, @raphael_brion , and the entire team at @foodandwine . The future of food is in capable hands. Visit @foodandwine to read the full article. 👏👏👏 #foodandwine #bestnewchef #BNC #nyc #chef

With the anniversary of my father’s passing quickly approaching, I find myself thinking of him even more often than usual. We lost him to pulmonary fibrosis—a devastating disease that scars the lungs and slowly takes away the ability to breathe. Next weekend, my mom and I will walk together—for him, for us, and for everyone whose lives have been touched by this illness. I’m proud to be fundraising for the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation (PFF) as we walk toward a future with better treatments, more support, and ultimately, a cure. The PFF Walk helps advance critical research, improve patient care, and provide resources for families navigating this disease—all things that mean so much to me personally. We would be so grateful for your support. Your gift will make a real difference in the lives of PF patients and their loved ones, and it will help power progress toward ending this disease. Please consider donating to my page (link in bio) or even joining the walk on September 6th. #PFFWalk #PulmonaryFibrosisFoundation #InLovingMemory #TogetherTowardACure

JULY 12 | Outstanding In The Field at Big Table Farm It was a true pleasure to be back with the @out_inthefield team and cooking alongside Frances alum @karihaywardshaughnessy at @bigtablefarm . The day was a scorcher, but it was so good to be together and create in such a scenic location and, as always, the OITF team managed to capture the surrounding beauty on the table and in the atmosphere. Thank you to everyone who joined us and to all who made it happen: @out_inthefield , @krogstadaquavit , @dongsun2041 , @iamyexun , and @carterhiyama courtesy of Outstanding in the Field the photos. Let’s do it again soon! #oitf #oregon #bigtablefarm #chefcollab #hayward

I’m so pleased to be joining an incredible line up of chefs at @blvdsf this weekend in support of Share Our Strength’s 40th Anniversary. Right now, nearly 16 million children are at risk of losing reliable access to meals and Share Our Strength @nokidhungry is working to bridge that gap. Join me alongside Chefs Nancy Oakes, Dana Younkin, Elizabeth Falkner, and Daisy Ryan on Sunday, July 27th, for a special dinner in support of Share Our Strength’s 40th anniversary. The evening will kick-off with a reception at 5:00pm, followed by a 4-course plated dinner. Seating is limited; Book now via link in bio. 🧡 photo: @mdecoudreaux #shareourstrength #nokidhungry #sffoodie #chefcollab

On the podcast today is San Francisco chef @m_perello She shares her culinary journey from culinary school to her first job & so much more. Be sure to listen. Link in Bio #howthesausageismade