“Find something you really love doing and turn it into a career.”
>> Daytonians who’ve made us proud at the big Hollywood award shows
Cooking up a storm and doing what he loves helped earn the 30-year-old an Emmy in the outstanding informative talk show category Sunday for his work on the “Rachael Ray Show.”
>>RELATED: Emilio Estevez tells Dayton about his Cincy-fied film covered from edge to edge in LaRosa's pizza
“I was really excited to be a part of the team that was nominated,” the alumni of the Muse Machine, a Dayton-based theater program, said. “A dream scenario for me is to get a second one so I can use them for dumbbells.”
The New York resident is now one of Rachael Ray culinary producers. He started as an intern after graduating Columbia College Chicago, where he earned a bachelor of arts in interdisciplinary studies and studied broadcast journalism and film.
Credit: Courtesy of Grant Melton
Credit: Courtesy of Grant Melton
“I literally have had every single job with the show,” he said.
These days, the baking pro appears regularly in cooking segments with Rachael Ray and produces food segments for celebrity guests.
He does everything from coming up with recipes to collecting ingredients.
Melton's creations can also be found on his Instagram page and website, GrantMelton.com.
>> Dave Chappelle earns prestigious national humor award
Credit: Courtesy of Grant Melton
Credit: Courtesy of Grant Melton
He likened picking a favorite recipe to picking a favorite child, but said he loves his recipe for red wine brownies and rosé alfredo.
“Let’s just put some booze in this and see what happens,” Melton said when asked how he came up with the recipes.
Melton — one of three sons in his family — says he got his passion for food from his parents, Pamela and Wendell Melton.
“We had dinner every night as a kid,” he said. “Something I looked forward to after school was helping them cook.”
Grant said his father, like his wife, is a high school guidance counselor, loved Emeril Lagasse and other celebrities chefs.
"I basically learned everything I knew about food from my parents and watching television."
Melton said he encourages people to pursue their passions.
“Find something you really love doing and turn it in a career. The other things is you have to put in the work,” he said. “I always encourage people to dream big, but work harder.”
About the Author
