Melinda LaChapelle - Pastry Chef:  Melinda was born in San Diego, CA and as a young girl grew up baking with her Mom and Grandmother.  Upon moving to Florida, Melinda attended Tarpon Springs High School and was one of the first four year graduates of their Culinary Program.  While in the Tarpon Culinary Program, Melinda competed multiple times in the National Pro-Start Competition, winning first place in the state on the Gourmet Meal Team.  (Her responsibility was dessert!)  Melinda graduated with honors from Le Cordon Bleu in Orlando, FL with a degree in Applied Science in Patisserie and Baking.  Melinda has been with Sweet Caroline's from almost the very start, working her way from assistant to Pastry Chef!  She married in 2008 and has one little boy and one girl at home.  Melinda's favorite... apparently she hasn't met a cheesecake she doesn't like!!

Richard Cannici - Owner/Baker:  Richard was born and raised in the great state of New Jersey, where his love of small town bakeries began.  He graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 2002, and served as a Marine Infantry Officer until 2007 including three combat tours in Iraq.  Rich is married to our very own Sweet Caroline, and they have three children, Richie and Joey & Francesca.  Richard learned to bake the same way he learned to lead Marines, on the job.  He entered the world of Pastry and Baking shortly after leaving the Marines, and is fortunate to fulfill his passions for both baking and business with Sweet Caroline's.  His personal favorite... New York Cheese Danish!