Staff

Melissa Beverage

Pastry Chef/Sous Chef
210-452-8181
mbeverage@cordilleraranch.com
Hometown: Jacobstown, New Jersey

How did you become employed at The Clubs of Cordillera Ranch?

I have known Chef Isaac Cantu since 2010 when we worked together and were part of the Chef’s Cooperative. He invited me out to see the property and I couldn’t pass up the chance to work with such a great group of people.

What past work history prepared you for The Clubs?

I graduated from Culinary School in 2010 and started out in bakeries with HEB and Whole Foods while finishing my Bachelor’s at the University of Texas in Austin.

What makes your colleagues an asset to The Clubs?

I am so blessed to work with an amazing and accomplished Executive Chef who is a wonderful teacher, mentor and also a dear friend. Our kitchen staff is a quirky group of individuals that all have a hand in making our operation run on a daily basis. I truly consider this a second home and family.

What has been your most rewarding professional experience?

Being able to have a career that I truly love is a reward in itself. To come to work every day with an excitement for what is in store, being continuously challenged to do new and creative dishes, while helping run and maintain an operation is a blessing. Finding the right kitchen is something I will never take for granted.

What has been your greatest professional challenge?

Having to adapt my work life with having a family has taught me to maximize my work hours in order to leave at a reasonable time to still see my son and be able to put him to bed. Finding a balance in my workaholic tendencies has been difficult and not always successful, but still something I work on to this day.

What do you like most about working at Cordillera Ranch?

The company, the culture, the ownership, the culinary team, the leadership. Cordillera is truly a unique package that I appreciate because not many other places can compete with the scenery, the beauty and the supportive work environment.

What are your hobbies and interests?

Family and food are my priorities. I make the most out of the time with my 3 year old son Nicholas. I love to cook at home with him, making sure he knows about good food, flavors and variety. Since most of our time is spent playing, I guess my current interests are playdough, trucks, trains and Legos.

Favorite quote or motto?

Shared to our kitchen by Chef Isaac, from Anna Bolz (Pastry Chef at Per Se), “If you don’t like to work for the sake of working and aren’t capable of being selfless, cooking won’t make you happy… in order to be successful in a kitchen, you must be willing to start at the bottom of the heap and fight your way up in the most humble and respectful way possible. It’s long hours (every day, not just sometimes), hard work (always, not just sometimes), and a lot of sweat and tears but the gratification you receive for caring for others in this unique way is unparalleled.”

Most meaningful personal experience?

My most life changing personal experience is having my son Nicholas. Having the chance to raise another human being and seeing them grow, develop, learn and experience new things is hands down one of the most beautiful and rewarding experiences. To see the good and innocence and intelligence in such a little person gives a glimmer of hope that great things can continue to happen in this immense and crazy world we are a part of.

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Member Services

Get Away To It All

Set directly in the heart of Cordillera Ranch, a peaceful distance from the Clubhouse, The Lodges at Cordillera Ranch provide a nearby sanctuary for an exceptional getaway. The Lodges offer a luxurious residence for any guest. Whether you need to impress a colleague or provide for family coming in on holiday, no detail has been skipped when making sure each guest has a pleasurable experience that is unique to every individual.

Cordillera Ranch POA

Amenity Reservations on the Ranch

Cordillera Ranch offers a variety of amenities for property owners and the new POA website allows online reservations for those amenities. To place a reservation request, simply log into the Cordillera Ranch POA website at www.cordilleraranchpoa.com, use the drop down on the For Residents tab and select Reservations, which lists the multiple amenities available. Property owners will then need to select which amenity they wish to reserve, and fill out the online form. The completed form is sent to the POA to review, at which time the POA will approve or deny the request. Once a decision has been made by the POA, the property owner is notified.

Signature Vacations

Los Sueños Resort in Costa Rica

Join our Club staff as we visit beautiful Costa Rica and its outstanding Los Sueños Resort and Marina. Costa Rica is really a wonderful vacation destination. With one of the oldest and most stable democracies in the Americas, Costa Rica is relatively close to the U.S. and includes clean, uncrowded beaches; a happy, friendly population; and beautiful scenery. If you’re looking for a great fall vacation getaway, Costa Rica is the perfect choice. With ideal accommodations, adventure experiences and relaxation, what more could you ask for?

Manager's Message

Where Do You Spend Your Time?

I recently read a story retold by the father of a young family of three that included himself, his wife and their young daughter. According to his recounting, after dinner they were each challenged to share an object symbolic of how they would describe one another to a stranger. When it was the daughter’s turn to share the item she thought to be representative of her father, she produced a cell phone. At her young age, she wasn’t taking a sarcastic “shot” at her dad, rather, it was how she truly saw him when he was home.