Joseph O Melanson

Joseph.Melanson@jwu.edu

Biography

Joseph Melanson brings more than 30 years of extensive experience across the hospitality and foodservice industry, with a career spanning high-end and fine-dining restaurants, fast-casual concepts, hotels, private clubs, sports and special-event catering, and high-volume foodservice operations. His diverse background has given him a broad understanding of the many facets of hospitality, from culinary operations and guest service to large-scale event execution and the fast-paced demands of today’s foodservice industry.
Committed to staying connected to the industry and current with emerging trends, techniques, and best practices, Melanson continues to work with a local restaurant group during the summer months. This hands-on experience allows him to bring fresh, real-world perspectives and current industry knowledge into his professional and educational work.
Melanson is also passionate about sustainability and reducing food waste within the hospitality industry. On campus, he serves as a co-advisor to the student-driven Wildcat Food Rescue Club, an organization dedicated to reducing food waste while supporting fellow students. The club rescues usable food from culinary labs and transforms it into meals for students, creating a meaningful connection between sustainability, culinary education, and food security.
Beyond his professional experience, Melanson is passionate about mentoring and developing the next generation of hospitality professionals. He particularly enjoys sharing the knowledge, experience, relationships, and industry network he has built throughout his career with students, while encouraging them to think critically about the future of the foodservice industry and their role in creating a more sustainable hospitality community.
As Melanson puts it, “I love inspiring and sharing my knowledge and networking with students.”

Education

MAT, Johnson & Wales University
Food Service Education

BS, Johnson & Wales University
Food Service Management