If you had told Mellisa Mills a decade ago she’d be at the helm of a growing plant-based cheese empire, she’d have laughed in your face. After all, she’d been fired from just about every job she ever held for insubordination. But it turns out, she just needed to do things her own way.
What a story it has been so far. With a lifetime of plant-based eating under her belt and a strong entrepreneurial spirit, Mellisa has some serious veg cred and she put it to good use. In the lively hub of her family’s kitchen, she got into the culinary game at an early age. Later, in between the many jobs that never seemed to stick, her DIY spirit and curiosity about nutrition and plant medicine combined with her love of quality ingredients to create Spread’Em Kitchen.
Mellisa first turned a blender, a bicycle, and $500 into a thriving farmers market stand in Vancouver. And several years later, this little passion project turned into much more than that. It moved into its own industrial facility, where it gradually grew into a celebrated manufacturer of plant-based dips, spreads, cheeses, and other dairy alternatives.
Before long, retailers started calling. First, it was small independent shops, then specialty natural food chains, and finally, conventional grocers lined up for a chance to stock what has since become a household name and staple in many kitchens across Canada.
As the CEO, Mellisa remains in command of the company’s innovation initiatives. Drawing from international flavours inspired by her extensive travels, she develops and perfects recipes held up by the twin pillars of nutrition and taste,
She also passionately spearheads the company’s community and sustainability initiatives and remains the face and voice of Spread’Em Kitchen, sharing its mission of creating delicious food that’s good for your body and the planet.
She lives in Vancouver with her partner Luke and their hilarious little cannonball of a toddler Benjamin. You can still spot her at local farmers’ markets on the weekends unless she’s busy experimenting in her home kitchen.
Connect with Mellisa:
Website: https://spreademkitchen.com/
Instagram: @spreadem_kitchen
Facebook: Spread’em Kitchen
