MELANIE BROWN - Chef Restaurateur of The Laundry

melanie@thelaundrybrixton.com
@melwinebrown

Melanie Brown, the chef, restaurateur and award-winning sommelier behind Brixton's acclaimed The Laundry, has carved a remarkable path in the culinary world, culminating in her recent recognition as Cuisine Magazine's 2025 Global Ambassador for Women in Food & Drink and her live appearance on BBC’s Saturday Kitchen. From her early days as a pastry chef at Raymond Blanc's 'Le Petit Blanc' to pioneering the UK's first 100% New Zealand wine list, Brown's career is a testament to her innovative spirit and deep expertise in both food and wine. Her unique approach, blending Swiss heritage and European influences with a bold New World flair, has made The Laundry a beloved South London institution, celebrated for its honest cooking and exceptional hospitality, to deliver a bold-flavoured hearty-style Brixton bistro. 

Inspired by the crucial roles of provenance, flavour, and quality, Melanie's journey as a chef naturally led her to the world of wine. Her curiosity first took her to the Front of House team at Jamie Oliver's Fifteen, followed by a stint with Brett and Charlie of Vinoteca fame. It was during this time that she cultivated a deep appreciation for classic bistro dining. Further enriching her culinary perspective, Melanie's Swiss heritage—her mother's family hails from Zürich, though Melanie was raised in New Zealand—meant her European travels were consistently infused with memorable food and drink experiences.

Returning to The Providores, and working closely with friend and Fusion Godfather; Peter Gordon, Melanie pioneered a 100% New Zealand wine list, a first for the UK. This led to her establishing The New Zealand Cellar, where she earned Decanter and IWSC's Best New Zealand Selection award for seven consecutive years. Her recognized expertise also saw her judging at the Decanter World Wine Awards and hosting numerous New World wine events.

Working closely with Executive Chef Sami Harvey, this duo bring to life a place where brunches, lunches and dinners thrive; afternoon and evening sundowners are a must and an all-day menu is founded on the intrinsic landscape of culinary tradition. A simple philosophy of genuine, honest cooking, bold flavours and classic dishes merged with welcoming hospitality, in a building steeped in history and grace.

Alongside her recent accolade, 2025 was a landmark year for Melanie, marked by the launch of two distinct ventures: Laundry Bespoke and The Wild Table. Laundry Bespoke formalised the elevated event catering services of her Brixton restaurant, offering refined dining experiences grounded in beautiful food and exceptional service. Meanwhile, The Wild Table was a unique collaboration with Browning Bros., a fifth-generation organic farm in Essex. This fire-led woodland pop -up restaurant, sponsored by OFYR, offered a sensory experience, driven by shared values of genuine hospitality, sustainability, provenance, and connection - to ingredients, to place, and to each other.

Summer 2025 brought even more as Melanie broadened her reach and built on The Laundry’s and her personal brand. She appeared live on BBC’s Saturday Kitchen, where she showcased a unique recipe to a nationwide audience, reflecting her bold, flavour-driven cooking style. Melanie also cooked for an audience at Pub in The Park and hosted specially curated experiences at Meatopia and Big Feastival. Alongside these appearances, the first foray of The Laundry: Coastal Edition took over Cherry Tree Farm in Devon for a long-table, locally sourced feast that gave further life to Melanie’s unique brand of elevated campfire cuisine with vibrant service - drawing inspiration from both her European and Kiwi roots.

Mel's career is defined by her dynamism, unwavering commitment to exceptional service, and a genuine passion for connecting people through food, wine, and fire.