Michelle, who founded Joyful Plate in 2011 to promote the joy that good food and beverages can bring to our daily lives, specializes in positioning and growing small to mid-sized lifestyle brands with strategy, research, package design and big ideas. She is also a blogger, sharing personal stories about what inspires at blog.joyfulplate.com. Michelle’s love for everything culinary began in the mid-90's when she managed the Wine & Champagne portfolio for Remy Cointreau, worked with the Antinori family of Florence, Sandro Boscaini from Masi Amarone, and a range of boutique Champagnes including Krug, Piper, and Charles Heidsieck. She has traveled extensively throughout Europe and has had many unique food experiences which inspired her to complete an advanced certificate in Wine & Spirits Education from the WSET in London and the Essentials of Fine Cooking from the French Culinary. In her free time, Michelle enjoys entertaining, especially making risotto for friends and family. She is also a branding volunteer to the Director of the West Side Campaign Against Hunger on the Upper West Side of New York City.