DETROIT, MI, September 18, 2025 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Melba Dearing has been selected for inclusion in Marquis Who's Who. As in all Marquis Who's Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.

Ms. Dearing has distinguished herself as Executive Chef and Co-Owner of The SAVOY Restaurant in Detroit. Since taking the helm in 2024, she has combined culinary excellence with sharp business acumen to shape every dimension of the restaurant's success. She directs kitchen innovation and menu development, curates partnerships with vendors, and ensures flawless execution of both front- and back-of-house operations. Beyond the kitchen, Ms. Dearing plays a key role in financial management and strategic growth, positioning The SAVOY as a premier destination for affordable fine dining. Under her leadership, the restaurant has become celebrated for its elevated cuisine, fine china, curated wine cellar, dedicated service, and nightly live entertainment.

Before launching her restaurant, Ms. Dearing completed an internship with Joe Vicari Restaurant Group in 2023. During this time, she trained under master chefs, gaining invaluable experience at both Andiamo and Joe Muer Seafood locations. Ms. Dearing contributed to development and quality control initiatives across multiple sites and played a key role in launching Joe Muer's first location outside Detroit in Nashville, Tennessee, an $8 million project.

Before relocating to Nashville, Ms. Dearing worked alongside her father at his barbecue concession stands in Detroit. She was responsible for negotiating contracts that secured their presence at major venues such as Little Caesars Arena, Ford Field and Comerica Park. Ms. Dearing's management of these contracts demonstrated her business acumen and deepened her understanding of large-scale food operations. Her professional journey in the industry began at Bert's Marketplace, her family's restaurant located in Detroit's historic Eastern Market district.

Ms. Dearing's expertise as an executive chef is complemented by her strong foundation in business administration and marketing. She graduated from the University of Detroit Mercy, where she received a Bachelor of Business Administration in international business in 2020 and a Master of Business Administration in marketing in 2021. Subsequently, Ms. Dearing earned a culinary degree from Dorsey College in 2023.

In addition to her work within restaurants, Ms. Dearing has made significant contributions to food security initiatives through her involvement with Titan Equity Nourish Network (TENN) at the University of Detroit Mercy. She developed a toolkit for creating value-added products from surplus food, particularly produce that may not meet cosmetic standards for grocery stores but retains nutritional value, to help redirect these resources to those in need. This toolkit was presented at campuses nationwide and successfully implemented across multiple institutions. Ms. Dearing is also an active food provider within her community and maintains memberships with the Michigan Chamber of Commerce and the Regional Optimist Club.

Within just one year of opening The SAVOY Restaurant, Ms. Dearing's efforts were recognized when it was named one of the Top 10 Best New Restaurants by the Detroit Free Press in 2025. The restaurant also received accolades from the Detroit News as Best New Restaurant in 2025 and was previously featured in the Michigan Chronicle in 2024.

Currently branding herself as "Powered by Chef Melba," Ms. Dearing is expanding her social media presence with plans to release culinary products, offer chef coaching services and publish cookbooks. She envisions selling these items as an integral part of her future career path. Furthermore, Ms. Dearing aspires to expand The SAVOY Restaurant concept beyond Detroit into cities such as Houston, Atlanta and Chicago while growing her personal brand.

About Marquis Who's Who®:
Since 1899, when A. N. Marquis printed the First Edition of Who's Who in America®, Marquis Who's Who® has chronicled the lives of the most accomplished individuals and innovators from every significant field of endeavor, including politics, business, medicine, law, education, art, religion and entertainment. Who's Who in America® remains an essential biographical source for thousands of researchers, journalists, librarians and executive search firms around the world. The suite of Marquis® publications can be viewed at the official Marquis Who's Who® website, www.marquiswhoswho.com.

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