MELANIE BROWN - Chef SOMMELIER

melanie@thelaundrybrixton.com
@melwinebrown
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Melanie Brown is a Chef Sommelier and Restaurateur, best known as the founder of Brixton’s acclaimed neighbourhood restaurant, The Laundry. With a career spanning refined European kitchens, pioneering wine programmes, and immersive open-fire cooking, Melanie brings a modern yet elemental approach to hospitality - translating the bold flavours of her New World upbringing in New Zealand into experiences rooted in Old World elegance, technique, and genuine warmth. In 2025, she was recognised by Cuisine Magazine as their Global Ambassador for Women in Food & Drink, highlighting her influence and leadership in the culinary world.

At the heart of Melanie’s philosophy is a belief in honest food, vibrant flavour, curated wine, and meaningful connection. Her cooking is founded on nostalgia and seasonality, using the abundance of the land as both inspiration and backdrop. Whether in the intimacy of her restaurant, around a long table in the woods, or over open fire at festivals and private events, her work is defined by generosity, craft, and a deep respect for provenance.

The Laundry

Opened in Brixton, The Laundry is Melanie Brown’s flagship restaurant and the spiritual home of her brand. A bustling, all-day neighbourhood bistro inspired by the great European cafés, it blends elevated comfort food with modern, fresh influences - setting it apart from a traditional French or English bistro. The Laundry is celebrated for its refined yet relaxed dining, enticing wine pairings, and unmistakable New-World-style hospitality, and has become a much-loved South London institution.

From Pastry to Pairing

Melanie’s career began in pastry kitchens, including time at Raymond Blanc’s Le Petit Blanc, before her curiosity around flavour naturally led her to the front of house and the world of wine. Early roles at Jamie Oliver’s Fifteen and alongside Brett and Charlie of Vinoteca helped shape her appreciation for classic bistro dining and thoughtful service.

Raised in New Zealand with Swiss heritage - her mother’s family hailing from Zürich - Melanie’s European travels were consistently defined by formative food and wine experiences. This dual influence continues to shape her cooking and her palate.

Returning to The Providores, Melanie worked closely with friend and mentor Peter Gordon, where she pioneered the UK’s first 100% New Zealand wine list. This bold move led to the creation of The New Zealand Cellar, which went on to win Decanter and IWSC’s Best New Zealand Selection award for seven consecutive years. Her expertise has seen her judge at the Decanter World Wine Awards and host New World wine events across the UK and internationally.

Fire, Wine & Experience

Melanie continues to bring to life a restaurant where brunches, lunches, dinners, and sundowners thrive - guided by a simple philosophy of bold flavour, classic dishes, and welcoming hospitality in a building steeped in history and grace.

Beyond the restaurant, Melanie’s brand has expanded into multiple platforms:

  • Laundry Bespoke  - premium, restaurant-quality event catering

  • The Wild Table - immersive, fire-led dining experiences rooted in connection

  • High-Impact Cooking - festivals, demonstrations, and large-scale live cooking

In 2025, alongside her Cuisine Magazine accolade, The Wild Table launched in collaboration with Browning Bros., a fifth-generation organic farm in Essex. The woodland pop-up, sponsored by OFYR, celebrated open-fire cooking, sustainability, provenance, and shared experience - values that sit at the core of Melanie’s philosophy.

2026 & Beyond

In 2026, Melanie was named an Official Ambassador for OFYR, a brand she uses to great acclaim across her open-fire cooking experiences. Her growing profile has seen her appear live on BBC’s Saturday Kitchen, cook at Pub in the Park, Meatopia, and Big Feastival, and host destination-led long-table feasts including The Laundry: Coastal Edition in Devon -  all expressions of her signature style: elevated campfire cuisine paired with vibrant service and exceptional wine.

Wine at The Laundry

Wine remains central to Melanie’s identity. The Laundry’s list is a carefully curated balance of Old and New World bottles - concise, exploratory, and often featuring rare or unexpected finds. Guests are encouraged to discover new varietals alongside classic producers, guided by Melanie’s world-class palate and deep industry relationships. Regular tastings and winemaker-led events continue to anchor wine as a vital part of the guest experience.