Melissa Miranda is the chef and owner of Musang, a Filipino restaurant and community gathering space in Seattle’s Beacon Hill neighborhood, which opened in January 2020. After attending culinary school in Florence, Italy, Mel honed her skills in kitchens across Italy and spent two years cooking in New York City before returning to her hometown of Seattle. There, she served as sous chef at Bar Del Corso while developing the vision for Musang.

Rooted in family, heritage, and storytelling, Musang has become a deeply personal space Mel describes as “for us, by us.” She leads a team that crafts dishes inspired by childhood memories and regional Filipino traditions, contributing to a dynamic reimagining of contemporary Filipino American cuisine. During the pandemic, she shared recipes and stories with Bon Appétit’s Test Kitchen, introducing wider audiences to the depth of Filipino cooking.

Community and collaboration remain central to Mel’s work. She is passionate about using her platform to uplift others and create space for shared growth and visibility. In 2022, she was named one of Food & Wine’s Best New Chefs, and she is a two-time James Beard Award semifinalist and finalist in 2024.

In 2023, she expanded her culinary vision with the opening of Kilig, her second restaurant in Seattle’s Chinatown-International District. Centered on Pancit and Bulalo, Kilig deepens her commitment to celebrating Filipino cuisine and community in the heart of Filipino Town.

Through food, Melissa continues to honor the richness of Filipino culture while reimagining it for a new generation—inviting everyone to the table to learn, share, and celebrate. Her work is a reflection of deep-rooted care, resilience, and pride—and a promise to keep building spaces that nourish both body and spirit.