Melba Wilson

Melba Wilson was “born, bred and buttered in Harlem.” Today she proudly represents her neighborhood as one of the most successful African-American women in the restaurant and catering businesses. Her style, poise and love of entertaining have made Melba’s Restaurant a New York landmark frequented by New York City’s elite, locals and travelers from around the world.

Her first experience in the restaurant business was at Harlem’s famous Sylvia’s Restaurant, where she held a variety of service and managerial positions.

In 2004, she struck out on her own and is now the proud, sole owner of two Harlem-based businesses: Melba’s Restaurant and Melba’s Catering. Melba’s Restaurant has won rave reviews from New York Magazine, Time Out, The New Yorker, The Daily News, Zagat and Interview Magazine.

Melba’s Catering has an extensive list of clientele, including Target, Nike, American Express, Pfizer, Time Warner, Bank of America, NFL and NBA, to name a few.

She has been featured on "The View," "The Today Show," "Good Day New York," NBC’s “New York Live,” the Sundance Film Channel in a documentary entitled, “Love, Lust and Comfort Food,” CBS “The Morning Show,” “Throwdown with Bobby Flay” and “Savoring Harlem.”

Her cookbook released in 2016 was honored twice by Ebony Magazine with their Taste of Ebony Award. Melba is the recipient of the Westside Spirit Award, The Entrepreneur Award presented by Congressman Charles Rangel, The Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce Award, The Thurgood Marshall Prestige Award, The “Shero Award 2015” and the Heritage Award. Melba was recently honored by the AKA Sorority, Google and Chase. In 2019, she was elected President of the Board of Directors for The NYC Hospitality Alliance. She is also a member of the Board of Directors of Opportunity Charter School and Harlem Park to Park. Melba donates to and supports many causes, including Alzheimer’s, The Girl Scouts of America, NY Women’s Foundation, The Doe Fund, diabetes, literacy, and senior citizen causes. She is the proud mother of a 19-year-old son and has consistently taken time to help community-based organizations in Harlem and throughout New York City.

In 2019, Ms. Wilson celebrated 15 years in business, and has served over 2.5 million guests