culinary knights Co-founder & Chef

Melanie has worked with youth in many capacities for over 25 years.  She started her career at a battered women's shelter serving clients at first, but soon realized her niche was with youth.  She went on to serve in various Boys & Girls Clubs and was appointed Santa Ana's first and only Commissioner of EPIC (Early Prevention & Intervention Commission).  Her proudest work was as an independent consultant working with incarcerated youth.  It was then that she realized they needed more than what she was able to offer.  The frustration of local politics and her desire to offer more led her back to school to pursue a life-long dream of becoming a chef and eventually a baker.  Melanie credits this desire to her happiest times watching and learning cooking and baking with her grandfather and her uncle.  During her culinary training she identified a void that left her longing for the happiness she felt in working with youth.  The perfect marriage was born!  She would combine the passion of serving the county's most disenfranchised, under-represented youth while excelling in her love of cooking and baking.  She now had so much more to offer as a trained professional.  She could teach marketable skills, teach a trade and proctor exams for her students to receive the piece of paper that certifies they are skilled and ready to work in the Art of Culinary.  Melanie has known the burning desire to effect positive change because she is formerly one of the very youth she serves.

Susan Lazzara Haslam is CEO and co-founder of Culinary Knights.  Susan's goal is to promote happiness, contentment, and kindness in the lives she touches.  She has a strong history of community involvement and ability to work with people of all ages and backgrounds.
Susan taught for Orange County Department of Education/Alternative, Community and Correctional Education Schools and Services (OCDE/ACCESS 1994-2018) for 24 years--16 years in the juvenile institution for incarcerated minors, 7 years in a program for juveniles on house arrest, and one year doing outreach and day school.
An advocate for her students, Susan encouraged them to graduate from high school or to get their GED (General Education Diploma).  She is a strong believer in teaching students life skills in areas such as learning job skills, finding a job, applying to college or a trade school, finding housing, developing relationship skills, budgeting, acquiring people skills, and other traits that can boost their confidence and help them to succeed.
Encouraging her students to believe in themselves and their ability to be successful has always been Susan's driving strength.  She would identify a student's hobby or interest during conversation as well as reading the autobiography each was assigned upon entry into her class.  She would then choose a book for that person that contained those specific subjects to address those interests.  Sharing her love of reading and her personal classroom library was an effective way to reach her students.  She also worked to connect with every student as an individual.  When she learned that one of her students loved playing the guitar, Susan found an acoustic guitar and an electric guitar for him to play.  The student was incredibly talented and an amazing musician who went on to work with other students, helping them to play guitar.  This simple act of genuine interest on Susan's part created a desire in that student to address his school work and ultimately, before his release, he was able to attain his high school diploma.
Susan Lazzara Haslam holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Home Economics, as well as a California Teacher Credential (kindergarten through adult education) from California State University Long Beach, and a Master of Arts Degree in Education from Pepperdine University.
Susan was a faculty member in the Home Economics department at Mater Dei High School (1977 -1985).  At that time, she also partnered in a cookie baking and delivery business, followed by home-party sales of children's clothing.
The list of Susan's involvement and commitment to her community includes serving as a volunteer for Laura's House domestic violence shelter, Lights On program serving released inmates, Lives Worth Saving Gang Intervention, and Alternatives to Violence Project (AVP).  She has served on the Board of Directors for Orange County Re-entry Partnership (OCREP), Orange County Conservation Corp (OCCC), and Saddleback College Extended Opportunity Program and Services (EOPS).  She implemented Criminal and Gang Members Anonymous (CGA) at Los Pinos Conservation Camp.  In addition, she coached soccer and boys' baseball, and served as a Boy and Girl Scout leader.
A wife and mother of three grown children and five grandchildren, Susan continues to be inspired by her family, her students and clients.
"Do a kind deed daily."

Our esteemed Secretary for the organization, she brings a wealth of experience & knowledge through her work as a Probation Officer for Los Angeles as well as Orange County. She also has 5 years of grief counseling with the Sunburst Academy, a National Guard Youth Challenge Program under her belt.