New Canaan Library is pleased to welcome celebrated entrepreneur and social media sensation Melissa Ben-Ishay, the creative force behind Baked by Melissa, for a conversation, cooking demonstration, and signing of her new cookbook, “Come Hungry: Salads, Meals, and Sweets for People Who Live to Eat.” The event will be held on Friday, January 19 at 11:30 a.m. in the Library’s Kend Kitchen and Community Room. This is a ticketed event; the price includes one copy of Melissa’s new cookbook and a goodie bag. Tickets may be purchased on the Library’s website: https://newcanaanlibrary.ejoinme.org/chopandchatmelissaben-Ishay

Best known for her successful retail shops featuring delicious bite-size cupcakes, Melissa’s popularity grew wider when she started sharing her favorite veggie-packed recipes, including the Green Goddess Salad, on social media. From that point, her culinary mastery and penchant for smart family meal preparation resonated widely and she launched an additional and exciting culinary path.

Melissa Ben-Ishay is the co-founder and CEO of Baked by Melissa, a New York-based dessert company celebrated for its bite-size treats. Since it was founded in 2008, Baked by Melissa has opened 14 retail stores in the New York City metropolitan area and beyond, and ships its products nationwide. In 2020, Melissa gained popularity on TikTok with videos of her salads and everyday meals, each of which was developed to give you the perfect ratio of flavors in every bite—just like her namesake cupcakes. She lives in Hoboken, New Jersey, with her husband and two daughters.