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The Dailey Family: Living Their Best Life in Broomall

Marple Friends & Neighbors, January 2022
Kyle and Melissa Dailey
Photo by Breana Tiffany Photography

We are excited to introduce you to our first Resident Feature of 2022: Kyle and Melissa Dailey and their three children. The Dailey family has a sign that hangs above their mantel that says, “Some Call it Chaos, We Call it Family!” With three children ages three and younger, a 6-year-old dog and a 12-year-old cat, Kyle said that the phrase certainly rings true. And they wouldn’t have it any other way!

Kyle grew up in Lansdowne, but came to Broomall often as a kid to visit his grandmother who lived on Garden Rd. He attended Saint Philomena’s grade school and then Monsignor Bonner for high school where he played lacrosse. His junior year he entered the Culinary Arts Vo- Tech program at the Delaware County Technical School in Folcroft and he’s been a chef ever since. Although initially Kyle was interested in the automotive program, he said that his job at a local supermarket, specifically the bakery department, sparked his interest in food service. “The funny thing is, I was a picky eater as a kid,” explained Kyle. “My friends and family like to joke that the pickiest eater became a chef!”

After high school, Kyle was awarded a partial scholarship to the prestigious Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York. He graduated in May 2007 and started his career working in country clubs. Most recently he worked in corporate dining where he served as head chef for JP Morgan Chase in Delaware. “The best part of being a chef is making people smile with a meal you’ve created,” said Kyle. He also loves the fast pace of the food industry. “Getting through a dinner rush on a Saturday night is the most organized chaos I’ve ever been a part of,” he said. “Lots of screaming and yelling, but when it’s going well, it’s a feeling that can’t be explained.”

This past year Kyle was able to start a new venture and what he says is his true passion: a mobile catering business called Twisted Elegance. “When Covid first hit, the food industry was one of the hardest impacted,” said Kyle. “Being a chef for 20 years, I knew then it was time to start working for myself. I also wanted to bring restaurant-quality food to people’s homes.” Kyle designed the brand new truck himself and has been able to cater many events including some locally for the Marple Soccer Association and Marple Newtown elementary school fundraisers. This winter, you’ll be able to catch him at Flight on Ice, the pop-up ice rink in Newtown Square.

Melissa is also a Delaware County native. She grew up in Clifton Heights and graduated from Upper Darby High School. After high school, she went on to West Chester University to pursue a degree in elementary education and to fulfill her dream of becoming a teacher. Eventually, she completed her Master’s Degree in Reading from Wilkes University. She got a position as a teacher at Stonehurst Elementary in Upper Darby right out of college and she’s been there ever since. For the first seven years she taught first grade before becoming a reading specialist. “I love working with young students to set the foundation they need to be lifelong readers and learners,” said Melissa. “There is nothing better than working with a student and seeing that ‘a-ha’ moment.” Melissa said she would love to someday work in the Marple Newtown School District so that she could serve the students in the same community where she lives (are you reading this Dr. Kane?).

Kyle’s mobile catering truck: Twisted Elegance
Photo courtesy of Melissa Dailey

Kyle and Melissa met each other at JD McGillicuddy’s, a popular Upper Darby bar.  Melissa said she didn’t go out that much, but had gotten a new pair of red shoes and figured, why not? She wasn’t there long when she noticed Kyle across the room. Her friend from work happened to know him from high school and was able to introduce the two of them. From there, they began dating and eventually celebrated their nuptials with fireworks on July 4, 2015.When they were first married, the couple lived in a row home in Westbrook Park, but soon they realized they needed more space for their growing family. Both Kyle and Melissa wanted to raise their children in a good school district with lots of family-oriented activities and a strong sense of community. Broomall fit the bill and they also love its close proximity to the King of Prussia area and the city. When they first moved here, they found a great place on Ann Rd. “We loved the house and considered our Ann Road neighbors like family,” said Melissa. They are like grandparents to Brooklyn.”

This past February, they moved over to the New Ardmore section of Broomall for a bigger place for their three kids and pets. “Our new neighbors here have been so nice and welcoming,” added Melissa. “They immediately took to our kids and our barking dog!”

The Dailey Family Photo by Katie Borsuk Photography

Kyle and Melissa have three children: three-year-old Brooklyn, Leo, who’s 18 months, and the baby, Landon who is five months old. Brooklyn attends pre-school at Newtown Square Presbyterian where she’s known as a talkative, outgoing, social butterfly. She also attends From the Top Dance Studio and loves to dance all the time. Recently, she figured out how to use the family’s ALEXA and likes to dance to “I Like to Move It” as early as 6am. Leo may be a future basketball star, as his favorite toy is his Fisher-Price Hoops. Melissa said he’s a bruiser, but also quite the mama’s boy. Baby Landon was born in July 2021 and his parents say he’s always smiling. His two favorite things? Milk and sleep!

The family also has two pets, a dog named ‘Nova and a cat named Eunice. A huge Philadelphia sports fan, Kyle brought home the German Shepherd/PitBull mix puppy on the day that Villanova won the Final Four in 2016. “I was feeling pretty confident earlier in the day about the team’s chances,” said Kyle. Sounds like ‘Nova certainly brought good luck to the team. Melissa brought Eunice home from her elementary school during a snowstorm, which Kyle was skeptical of at first. But, eleven years later, she’s really grown on him.

During the summers, the Daileys love heading to Wildwood, where Melissa vacationed as a child. “Kyle spent a lot of time in Sea Isle and Ocean City when he was younger,” said Melissa. “So, I’m open to exploring other Jersey shore towns in the future.” The family also enjoys going to the Splash Club, where Melilssa said she can be found at the baby pool with a good book.

As the Daileys are coming up on the one-year anniversary of being in their new home in Broomall, they’ve realized no matter what street you live on, it’s the perfect place to raise a family. Melissa said it best: “It just goes to show, no matter where you live in Broomall, it’s just a great community!”

Do you know a Marple family, individual or nonprofit group who should become known by our community? Make your nominations for upcoming feature articles by emailing your ideas to Holly Stupak at hstupak@BestVersionMedia.com.