Chef Andy Suarez

Private Chef In Chicago

Andy Suarez is a Chicago-based Private Chef/Culinary Instructor with a passion for good food, entertaining, and teaching. From a young age he learned the special relationship he had with food, modeled by his parents and their ability to cook farm to table in a traditional Mexican kitchen. This, along with his 14 years of experience in the food industry and sales/customer service, sparked a desire to connect further with people from around the world in the language we all know best: food.

Andy took these values and invested in his education, ultimately graduating with his Bachelor’s degree in Culinary Management/Arts and continuing his education in different parts of the world. He would go on to work in some of the highest rated restaurants with titles including Culinary instructor, traveling Chef, Private Chef, Culinary Director, Line Cook, Chef consultant, Menu Developer, Caterer and Food Stylist, but something was missing. Chef decided it was time to pursue his own business fueled by his inspiration and ideas. So currently runs a private chef business as well as a traveling Culinary school and cooking classes in his venue.

His main duties include teaching chefs, adults and kids cooking classes.

Chef Andy became well known for his fun, down to earth, and interactive style. Offering both in person and virtual classes, he shares secrets of the trade and techniques from international cuisines. In addition to private cooking classes, Chef Andy provides Corporate Team Building Events, Private Dinners and Fine Dining, and Small Event Catering to the Chicago area. He is classically trained in French cuisine but is very experienced cooking global cuisine. His passion for food and attention to detail is what makes him one of a kind.

For me, cooking is...

A way to show love and connect with others. It's a style of living and embracing the ingredients given to us to create memorable experiences.

I learned to cook at...

I studied Culinary at the Illinois Institute of Art- Chicago and Robert Morris University

A cooking secret...

Don't overthink it. A lot of the times the secret is learning techniques and then you can apply to the rest of the kitchen. Have fun with it :)

My menus

Roma III

STARTER

Choose 2 dishes

Tuna crudo with lemon olive oil topped with crispy onions

Lamb Meatballs with roasted garlic sauce

Salumi Arancini with sun dried tomato red pesto

Homemade Italian bread with homemade ricotta topped with wildflower honey and tobiko

Roasted shitake, portobello and oyster mushrooms Flatbread with truffles and Alfredo sauce

Charred octopus carpaccio with burnt onion aioli, fennel and nduja butter

Shrimp Cocktail

Burrata, homemade focaccia, peach jam, prosciutto di Parma, aged balsamic glaze

Lobster bisque with sourdough croutons

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Panzella salad - garden cherry tomatoes, bread, shallots, garlic, peaches, shaved parmesan with honey lemon vinaigrette

Garden summer salad- mixed greens, tomatoes, watermelon, aged parmesan, cucumber, sunflower seeds, balsamic dressing

Burrata salad, heirloom tomatoes, smoked maldon salt, Black pepper and basil oil topped with mint

Mixed greens, mandarins, red onions and balsamic vinaigrette topped with pumpkin seeds and goat cheese

Radicchio with oranges, cucumber, fennel, dill, Parmesan and champagne vinaigrette

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Lobster pasta of the day with chili crisp and garlic breadcrumbs

Scallop pesto risotto with grilled green beans

Chefs special

Ribeye Steak with truffled butter and creamy potatoes topped with asparagus

Shrimp scampi with spaghetti

Roasted garlic lamb and Italian sausage meat sauce with pasta of the day

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Lemon vanilla creme brulee topped with candied hazelnuts

Chocolate Cake with gelato

Pistachio Nutella cannoli

Strawberry and burnt banana tiramisu

Limoncello Sorbet with calabrian chili spice

Flourless Lava cake with gelato and cinnamon spice

Seafood Delight I

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

Charred edamame with smoked maldon salt

Miso soup with mushrooms, seaweed and scallions

Shishito peppers with spicy aioli and lemon

Grilled miso carrots with edamame hummus

Vegetable Gyoza with chili crisp and ponzu

Spicy Fried Tofu, Avocado Relish, Fresno Chili

Cauliflower Tempura, Smoked Chili Aioli, crispy onions

Fried vegetable egg rolls with oyster sauce aioli

Cauliflower ceviche served with tostadas and salsa macha

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Salt massaged raw eggplant salad with miso dressing topped with pomegranate

Seaweed and ginger salad

Wood ear mushrooms salad and shaved carrots

Japanese cucumber salad with cilantro and mint

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Curried udon noodles with Grilled chicken

Stone Bowl beef rice with assorted vegetables

Chicken ramen bowl with chili oil

Miso Skirt steak with grilled asparagus and sweet potatoes topped with asian chimichurri

Tuna sushi maki roll with oyster sauce, citrus aioli, cucumber, jalapenos

Pan fried Fish of the day with sticky rice and grilled zucchini topped with ponzu sauce

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Green tea creme brulee with strawberries

Gelato with sesame brittle

Cheesecake with grilled peaches

Sorbet of the day with togarashi and honey

Soy milk ice cream with poached pears and black sesame

Mochi of chefs choice with a soy glaze reduction and berries

Andy's Surprise III

STARTER

Choose 3 dishes

8.chefs surprised item

9.chefs special of the day

1.Grilled bread with smoked salmon and everything bagel seasoning topped with salmon roe

2.Aguachile cucumber shrimp with tortilla chips

3. Salmon sashimi with burnt onion aioli

4. Korean beef tartare , yuzu mustard, pickled mushrooms, shallot, capers served with sourdough and gochujang butter

5. Ahi tuna Nigiri with miso and oyster sauce

6. Local Charcuterie and cheese

7.Gougere with whipped honey ricotta topped with tobiko

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

5.chefs surprised item

1.asparagus fennel orange salad with lemon mustard dressing

2.mixed greens, tomatoes, olives, Manchego and sherry vinaigrette

3.arugula, orange, pickled beets, lemon ricotta and sunflower seeds

4.frisee salad with shallot champagne vinaigrette topped with herbed goat cheese and radishes

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

1.Squid ink pasta with seared scallops

2. Filet mignon with creamy Brandy sauce, Mashed potatoes and asparagus

3. Pan seared fish of the day with blue cheese sauce served with green beans and mashed potatoes

4. Chefs surprised item

5. Grilled chicken with herbed butter and sweet potato puree topped with Broccoli

6.chefs special of the day

DESSERT

Choose 2 dishes

1. Churro with dulce de leche

2. Red wine poached pear with creme anglaise topped with almonds

3. Apricot glazed tart topped with berries

4. Chocolate cake with gelato

5. Molten lava cake with cinnamon whipped cream and matcha spice

6.chefs surprised item

7. Chef's special of the day

Andy's surprise I

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

1.Fried potato and cheese empanadas with spicy aioli

2.beet salad ceviche with tostadas and salsa macha

3.Creamy garlic hummus with carrots and cucumber

4. Charred eggplant crostini with pomegranate syrup

5.Pan con tomate

6. Potato Croquette with smoked aioli

7.charred shishito peppers with ponzu aioli

8. Chefs surprised item

9.chef's special of the day

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

1.Mixed greens with cucumber, red onion, mint and Greek dressing

2.Romaine lettuce with radishes, avocado, tomatoes and cilantro-lime dressing

3.Mixed greens with red onion, corn, queso fresco and spicy honey dressing

4.chefs Surprise item

5.chefs surprised item

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

1.Miso Cauliflower steak with polenta and roasted pepper sauce

2.grilled steak with romesco sauce and roasted vegetables

3. Herbed chicken with green beans and roasted potatoes

4. Fish of the day with chimichurri and grilled vegetables

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

6.chef's special of the day

1. Vanilla creme brulee with glazed berries and dehydrated berries

2.Arroz con leche with candied nuts and berries

3. Gelato of the day with Almond dust

4. Vanilla cheesecake with blueberry sauce

5. Chef´s surprised item

6. Chef's special of the day

Taste of spain

STARTER

All inclusive

Grilled bread with jam, herbed goat cheese, and tomato jam

FIRST COURSE

All inclusive

Farmers market mixed greens, mandarins, olives, Manchego and sherry vinaigrette topped with almonds

MAIN COURSE

All inclusive

Shrimp saffron risotto topped with mixed grilled vegetables

Grilled Steak with romesco sauce served over roasted carrots and yellow squash

DESSERT

All inclusive

Cheesecake with dulce de leche topped with strawberries

Latin Fiesta I

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

1.Fried potato and cheese empanadas with spicy aioli

2.beet salad ceviche with tostadas and salsa macha

3.Creamy garlic hummus with carrots and cucumber

4. Charred eggplant crostini with pomegranate syrup

5.Pan con tomate

6. Potato Croquette with smoked aioli

7.charred shishito peppers with ponzu aioli

8. Chefs surprised item

9.chef's special of the day

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

1.Mixed greens with cucumber, red onion, mint and Greek dressing

2.Romaine lettuce with radishes, avocado, tomatoes and cilantro-lime dressing

3.Mixed greens with red onion, corn, queso fresco and spicy honey dressing

4.chefs Surprise item

5.chefs surprised item

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

1.Miso Cauliflower steak with polenta and roasted pepper sauce

2.grilled steak with romesco sauce and roasted vegetables

3. Herbed chicken with green beans and roasted potatoes

4. Fish of the day with chimichurri and grilled vegetables

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

6.chef's special of the day

1. Vanilla creme brulee with glazed berries and dehydrated berries

2.Arroz con leche with candied nuts and berries

3. Gelato of the day with Almond dust

4. Vanilla cheesecake with blueberry sauce

6. Chef's special of the day

5. chefs surprised item

Japanese Feast

STARTER

Choose 3 dishes

Charred edamame with smoked maldon salt

Miso soup with mushrooms, seaweed and scallions

Shishito peppers with spicy aioli and lemon

Grilled miso carrots with edamame hummus

Vegetable Gyoza with chili crisp and ponzu

Spicy Fried Tofu, Avocado Relish, Fresno Chili

Cauliflower Tempura, Smoked Chili Aioli, crispy onions

Fried vegetable egg rolls with oyster sauce aioli

Cauliflower ceviche served with tostadas and salsa macha

FIRST COURSE

Choose 2 dishes

Salt massaged raw eggplant salad with miso dressing topped with pomegranate

Seaweed and ginger salad

Wood ear mushrooms salad and shaved carrots

Japanese cucumber salad with cilantro and mint

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Curried udon noodles with Grilled chicken

Stone Bowl beef rice with assorted vegetables

Chicken ramen bowl with chili oil

Miso Skirt steak with grilled asparagus and sweet potatoes topped with asian chimichurri

Tuna sushi maki roll with oyster sauce, citrus aioli, cucumber, jalapenos

Pan fried Fish of the day with sticky rice and grilled zucchini topped with ponzu sauce

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Green tea creme brulee with strawberries

Gelato with sesame brittle

Cheesecake with grilled peaches

Sorbet of the day with togarashi and honey

Soy milk ice cream with poached pears and black sesame

Mochi of chefs choice with a soy glaze reduction and berries

Roma I

STARTER

Choose 2 dishes

Grilled Italian bread with ricotta and tomato jam

Spinach and mushroom Flatbread

Fried Eggplant with basil pesto aioli

Tuscan garlic white bean dip with crostini

Tomato bruschetta on Italian bread topped with aged balsamic glaze

Broccolini with parmesan and crispy garlic chips topped with extra Virgin olive oil

Garlic cheese bread topped with sundried tomato

Meatless Meatballs with roasted garlic sauce

Antipasto skewers- olives, artichokes, tomatoes, cheese

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Caprese salad- fresh mozzarella, basil, cherry tomatoes

Classic Caesar salad- Romaine lettuce, parmesan, croutons

Summer farro salad- farro, mint, cucumber, strawberry , citrus vinaigrette

Mixed greens, pickled beets, red onions, ricotta, sunflower seeds

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Chicken marsala

Chef's special of the day

Pan seared cod with salsa verde served with grilled peppers and asparagus

Fresh pasta of the day with vodka creamy sauce

Grilled Skirt steak with polenta and green beans topped with italian chimichurri

Green pea and mushroom risotto

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Vanilla gelato With chocolate syrup and Chocolate chips

Chocolate mousse with pistachios

Zabaglione with berries

Italian lemon cheesecake

Fruit sorbet of the day

Zeppole with powdered sugar

Roma III

STARTER

Choose 2 dishes

Tuna crudo with lemon olive oil topped with crispy onions

Lamb Meatballs with roasted garlic sauce

Salumi Arancini with sun dried tomato red pesto

Homemade Italian bread with homemade ricotta topped with wildflower honey and tobiko

Roasted shitake, portobello and oyster mushrooms Flatbread with truffles and Alfredo sauce

Charred octopus carpaccio with burnt onion aioli, fennel and nduja butter

Shrimp Cocktail

Burrata, homemade focaccia, peach jam, prosciutto di Parma, aged balsamic glaze

Lobster bisque with sourdough croutons

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Panzella salad - garden cherry tomatoes, bread, shallots, garlic, peaches, shaved parmesan with honey lemon vinaigrette

Garden summer salad- mixed greens, tomatoes, watermelon, aged parmesan, cucumber, sunflower seeds, balsamic dressing

Burrata salad, heirloom tomatoes, smoked maldon salt, Black pepper and basil oil topped with mint

Mixed greens, mandarins, red onions and balsamic vinaigrette topped with pumpkin seeds and goat cheese

Radicchio with oranges, cucumber, fennel, dill, Parmesan and champagne vinaigrette

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Lobster pasta of the day with chili crisp and garlic breadcrumbs

Scallop pesto risotto with grilled green beans

Chefs special

Ribeye Steak with truffled butter and creamy potatoes topped with asparagus

Shrimp scampi with spaghetti

Roasted garlic lamb and Italian sausage meat sauce with pasta of the day

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Lemon vanilla creme brulee topped with candied hazelnuts

Chocolate Cake with gelato

Pistachio Nutella cannoli

Strawberry and burnt banana tiramisu

Limoncello Sorbet with calabrian chili spice

Flourless Lava cake with gelato and cinnamon spice

Seafood Delight I

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

Charred edamame with smoked maldon salt

Miso soup with mushrooms, seaweed and scallions

Shishito peppers with spicy aioli and lemon

Grilled miso carrots with edamame hummus

Vegetable Gyoza with chili crisp and ponzu

Spicy Fried Tofu, Avocado Relish, Fresno Chili

Cauliflower Tempura, Smoked Chili Aioli, crispy onions

Fried vegetable egg rolls with oyster sauce aioli

Cauliflower ceviche served with tostadas and salsa macha

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Salt massaged raw eggplant salad with miso dressing topped with pomegranate

Seaweed and ginger salad

Wood ear mushrooms salad and shaved carrots

Japanese cucumber salad with cilantro and mint

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Curried udon noodles with Grilled chicken

Stone Bowl beef rice with assorted vegetables

Chicken ramen bowl with chili oil

Miso Skirt steak with grilled asparagus and sweet potatoes topped with asian chimichurri

Tuna sushi maki roll with oyster sauce, citrus aioli, cucumber, jalapenos

Pan fried Fish of the day with sticky rice and grilled zucchini topped with ponzu sauce

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Green tea creme brulee with strawberries

Gelato with sesame brittle

Cheesecake with grilled peaches

Sorbet of the day with togarashi and honey

Soy milk ice cream with poached pears and black sesame

Mochi of chefs choice with a soy glaze reduction and berries

Andy's Surprise III

STARTER

Choose 3 dishes

8.chefs surprised item

9.chefs special of the day

1.Grilled bread with smoked salmon and everything bagel seasoning topped with salmon roe

2.Aguachile cucumber shrimp with tortilla chips

3. Salmon sashimi with burnt onion aioli

4. Korean beef tartare , yuzu mustard, pickled mushrooms, shallot, capers served with sourdough and gochujang butter

5. Ahi tuna Nigiri with miso and oyster sauce

6. Local Charcuterie and cheese

7.Gougere with whipped honey ricotta topped with tobiko

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

5.chefs surprised item

1.asparagus fennel orange salad with lemon mustard dressing

2.mixed greens, tomatoes, olives, Manchego and sherry vinaigrette

3.arugula, orange, pickled beets, lemon ricotta and sunflower seeds

4.frisee salad with shallot champagne vinaigrette topped with herbed goat cheese and radishes

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

1.Squid ink pasta with seared scallops

2. Filet mignon with creamy Brandy sauce, Mashed potatoes and asparagus

3. Pan seared fish of the day with blue cheese sauce served with green beans and mashed potatoes

4. Chefs surprised item

5. Grilled chicken with herbed butter and sweet potato puree topped with Broccoli

6.chefs special of the day

DESSERT

Choose 2 dishes

1. Churro with dulce de leche

2. Red wine poached pear with creme anglaise topped with almonds

3. Apricot glazed tart topped with berries

4. Chocolate cake with gelato

5. Molten lava cake with cinnamon whipped cream and matcha spice

6.chefs surprised item

7. Chef's special of the day

Andy's surprise I

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

1.Fried potato and cheese empanadas with spicy aioli

2.beet salad ceviche with tostadas and salsa macha

3.Creamy garlic hummus with carrots and cucumber

4. Charred eggplant crostini with pomegranate syrup

5.Pan con tomate

6. Potato Croquette with smoked aioli

7.charred shishito peppers with ponzu aioli

8. Chefs surprised item

9.chef's special of the day

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

1.Mixed greens with cucumber, red onion, mint and Greek dressing

2.Romaine lettuce with radishes, avocado, tomatoes and cilantro-lime dressing

3.Mixed greens with red onion, corn, queso fresco and spicy honey dressing

4.chefs Surprise item

5.chefs surprised item

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

1.Miso Cauliflower steak with polenta and roasted pepper sauce

2.grilled steak with romesco sauce and roasted vegetables

3. Herbed chicken with green beans and roasted potatoes

4. Fish of the day with chimichurri and grilled vegetables

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

6.chef's special of the day

1. Vanilla creme brulee with glazed berries and dehydrated berries

2.Arroz con leche with candied nuts and berries

3. Gelato of the day with Almond dust

4. Vanilla cheesecake with blueberry sauce

5. Chef´s surprised item

6. Chef's special of the day

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Chef Andy's reviews

4.89

•

10 services

Chef Any was amazing! Thank you!

Chef Andy was awesome. The experience was everything you would want it to be. We had 6 people for a French focused, fine dining style dinner. 5 courses. We easily went back and forth with Chef Andy to tweak it to what dishes we liked and he was great about recommending which ones were standouts. One person was a vegetarian and I thought he did a great job to do a very similar analogous dish for that person so it didn't feel like it was out of left field just to substitute (for example, Mushroom Au Vin instead of Coq Au Vin, beet tartare instead of beef tartare). He showed up on time and slightly early, set up quickly. Food timing was perfect and allowed for us to enjoy the meal and wine between courses (not to fast or too slow). He left the kitchen super clean (even more clean than other chef's I had utilized in the past with Take a Chef). He also was engaging and explained the dishes with great detail but was not overbearing and left us to enjoy our company as well. I think he very much can take cues for how little or lots of interaction you want with the chef. The dishes were super tasty and plated elegantly enough for us to want to take photos. Everything was pretty awesome and I would very much be looking forward to having Chef Andy back at our place again. 5 stars, highly recommended!

Andy is a talented chef who was happy sharing his perspective on food, his recipes, and his background. We had a great evening thanks to him, a very memorable dinner.

Chef Any was amazing! Thank you!

Andy is a talented chef who was happy sharing his perspective on food, his recipes, and his background. We had a great evening thanks to him, a very memorable dinner.

Chef Any was amazing! Thank you!

Andy is a talented chef who was happy sharing his perspective on food, his recipes, and his background. We had a great evening thanks to him, a very memorable dinner.