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

Latin Fiesta II

STARTER

Choose 2 dishes

1.Chef's choice bread, truffle butter, tomato jam and cheese

2.Bacon-wrapped dates with saffron aioli

3. Truffled white bean and artichokes dip with vegetables

4. Cantaloupe and prosciutto skewers

5. Creamy elote with huitlacoche and chipotle lime aioli with homemade queso fresco

6. Charred pineapple and shrimp ceviche tostada

7. Grilled beets with crispy prosciutto topped with pistachios and whipped goat cheese

8.chefs surprised item

9.chefs special of the day

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

5.chefs surprised item

1. mixed greens, cucumbers, pickled red onions, honey Champagne vinaigrette and sunflower seeds

2.Kale, piquillo peppers, pickled mushrooms and lemon maple vinaigrette

3. Greens, cucumber, tomatoes, bell peppers, olives, feta and Greek dressing

4.Arugula with roasted beets, blueberries and honey citrus dressing topped with goat cheese

5.Kale with olives, cherry tomatoes, feta cheese with lemon olive oi

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

1.Coq au vin- chicken, red wine, herbs, lardons and mushrooms

2. Honey dill mustard salmon with green beans and puréed sweet potatoes

3.Enchiladas de mole rojo with chicken, steak or vegetables

4.Carne asada with charred salsa verde and black bean purèe and roasted carrots

5.Grilled chicken with lemon herb couscous and roasted zucchini

6.chef's surprised item

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

6.chef's special of the day

1.Tequila sorbet with tropical fruit and chamoy

2. Apple tart with spiced streusel

3. Lemon flan

4. Pumpkin spice tres leches

From Here II

STARTER

Choose 2 dishes

8. Chefs surprised item

9.chef's special of the day

1.Chef's choice bread, truffle butter, tomato jam and cheese

2.Bacon-wrapped dates with saffron aioli

3. Truffled white bean and artichokes dip with vegetables

4. Cantaloupe and prosciutto skewers

5. Creamy elote with huitlacoche and chipotle lime aioli with homemade queso fresco

6. Charred pineapple and shrimp ceviche tostada

7. Grilled beets with crispy prosciutto topped with pistachios and whipped goat cheese

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

1. mixed greens, cucumbers, pickled red onions, honey Champagne vinaigrette and sunflower seeds

2.Kale, piquillo peppers, pickled mushrooms and lemon maple vinaigrette

3. Greens, cucumber, tomatoes, bell peppers, olives, feta and Greek dressing

4.Arugula with roasted beets, blueberries and honey citrus dressing topped with goat cheese

5.Kale with olives, cherry tomatoes, feta cheese with lemon olive oi

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

1.Coq au vin- chicken, red wine, herbs, lardons and mushrooms

2. Honey dill mustard salmon with green beans and puréed sweet potatoes

3.Enchiladas de mole rojo with chicken, steak or vegetables

4.Carne asada with charred salsa verde and black bean purèe and roasted carrots

5.Grilled chicken with lemon herb couscous and roasted zucchini

6.chef's surprised item

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

5. Chef´s surprised item

1.Tequila sorbet with tropical fruit and chamoy

2. Apple tart with spiced streusel

3. Lemon flan

4. Pumpkin spice tres leches

From here 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

Seafood Delight II

STARTER

Choose 2 dishes

Ground chicken meatball with teriyaki glaze and sesame seeds

Ahi tuna crudo with scallion oil and avocado mousse

Crispy Fried Eggplant, Jalapeño Honey and pickled red onions topped with sesame oil

Chicken Yakitori Skewers

Pork Japanese BBQ gyoza

Grilled Pork Belly, Miso Mustard, Pickled Vegetables

Crispy tempura shrimp with ponzu aioli and pickled vegetables

Stir fry Broccoli with tofu and garlic

Japanese buns with grilled chicken and pickled vegetables

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Shisho and greens salad with edamame with ginger soy dressing

Cabbage and kelp salad with toasted sesame dressing

Green bean and pepper salad with red onions and ponzu dressing

Katsuobushi Caesar and Romaine Salad, Crispy Baguette, Spiced Almond

Root vegetable salad with sesame honey dressing topped with sunflower seeds

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Chefs special

Japanese BBQ seared ahi tuna served with sticky rice and grilled vegetable assortment

Crispy Chicken Katsu with asian slaw and mashed potatoes

Pork Miso Ramen bowl with assorted toppings

Shrimp Tempura sushi maki roll with spicy aioli, pineapple, teriyaki, scallions

Ribeye steak With furikake butter and roasted taro root and bok choy

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Soy milk ice cream with poached pears and black sesame

Steamed buns stuffed with azuki (bean) paste

Ginger custard with candied pecans

Sorbet of the day with tobiko

Matcha flan with dehydrated oishii strawberries

Fruit tart of the day with sake glaze

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

Roma I

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

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

Japanese Feast

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

Cruise on the Mediterranean III

STARTER

Choose 2 dishes

Hummus: Roasted peppers, pomegranate, garbanzo beans, pita bread

Eggplant Wrapped Dates: Dates, chili oil, eggplant, sun-dried pesto aioli

Whipped Feta and Honey: Summer vegetables, wildflower honey, feta cheese, cream, bread

Ahi Tuna Crudo: Tuna, citrus, olive oil, tomatoes, pickled shallots

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Greek Salad: Romaine, tomato, cucumber, kalamata olive, feta, red pepper, Greek dressing

Citrus and Fennel Salad: Arugula, pickled fennel, blood orange, grapefruit, manchego cheese, dill vinaigrette, mint

Summer Salad: Mixed greens, shaved carrots, peaches, sweet peppers, lemon honey dressing, mozzarella

Mediterranean Chopped Salad: Romaine lettuce, olives, chickpeas, red onion, pecorino, tomatoes, cucumber, Dijon maple dressing

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Harissa Grilled Chicken: Chicken, turmeric almond rice, zucchini, salsa verde

Grilled Steak: Beef tenderloin, seasonal roasted vegetables, quinoa, zhough

Chef's Choice of Fish: Fish, parsnip puree, garlic, mint, parsley

Oyster Mushroom: Mushrooms, aleppo, olive oil, za'atar spices, spinach risotto

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Berries and Fig Crostata: Cardamom, sugar, figs, berries

Honey Vanilla Parfait: Granola, honey, berries, nutmeg

Orange Blossom Crème Brûlée: Burnt sugar, orange blossom water, cream

Baklava: Chopped nuts, syrup, berries, pistachios

Latin Fiesta II

STARTER

Choose 2 dishes

1.Chef's choice bread, truffle butter, tomato jam and cheese

2.Bacon-wrapped dates with saffron aioli

3. Truffled white bean and artichokes dip with vegetables

4. Cantaloupe and prosciutto skewers

5. Creamy elote with huitlacoche and chipotle lime aioli with homemade queso fresco

6. Charred pineapple and shrimp ceviche tostada

7. Grilled beets with crispy prosciutto topped with pistachios and whipped goat cheese

8.chefs surprised item

9.chefs special of the day

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

5.chefs surprised item

1. mixed greens, cucumbers, pickled red onions, honey Champagne vinaigrette and sunflower seeds

2.Kale, piquillo peppers, pickled mushrooms and lemon maple vinaigrette

3. Greens, cucumber, tomatoes, bell peppers, olives, feta and Greek dressing

4.Arugula with roasted beets, blueberries and honey citrus dressing topped with goat cheese

5.Kale with olives, cherry tomatoes, feta cheese with lemon olive oi

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

1.Coq au vin- chicken, red wine, herbs, lardons and mushrooms

2. Honey dill mustard salmon with green beans and puréed sweet potatoes

3.Enchiladas de mole rojo with chicken, steak or vegetables

4.Carne asada with charred salsa verde and black bean purèe and roasted carrots

5.Grilled chicken with lemon herb couscous and roasted zucchini

6.chef's surprised item

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

6.chef's special of the day

1.Tequila sorbet with tropical fruit and chamoy

2. Apple tart with spiced streusel

3. Lemon flan

4. Pumpkin spice tres leches

From Here II

STARTER

Choose 2 dishes

8. Chefs surprised item

9.chef's special of the day

1.Chef's choice bread, truffle butter, tomato jam and cheese

2.Bacon-wrapped dates with saffron aioli

3. Truffled white bean and artichokes dip with vegetables

4. Cantaloupe and prosciutto skewers

5. Creamy elote with huitlacoche and chipotle lime aioli with homemade queso fresco

6. Charred pineapple and shrimp ceviche tostada

7. Grilled beets with crispy prosciutto topped with pistachios and whipped goat cheese

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

1. mixed greens, cucumbers, pickled red onions, honey Champagne vinaigrette and sunflower seeds

2.Kale, piquillo peppers, pickled mushrooms and lemon maple vinaigrette

3. Greens, cucumber, tomatoes, bell peppers, olives, feta and Greek dressing

4.Arugula with roasted beets, blueberries and honey citrus dressing topped with goat cheese

5.Kale with olives, cherry tomatoes, feta cheese with lemon olive oi

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

1.Coq au vin- chicken, red wine, herbs, lardons and mushrooms

2. Honey dill mustard salmon with green beans and puréed sweet potatoes

3.Enchiladas de mole rojo with chicken, steak or vegetables

4.Carne asada with charred salsa verde and black bean purèe and roasted carrots

5.Grilled chicken with lemon herb couscous and roasted zucchini

6.chef's surprised item

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

5. Chef´s surprised item

1.Tequila sorbet with tropical fruit and chamoy

2. Apple tart with spiced streusel

3. Lemon flan

4. Pumpkin spice tres leches

From here 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

Seafood Delight II

STARTER

Choose 2 dishes

Ground chicken meatball with teriyaki glaze and sesame seeds

Ahi tuna crudo with scallion oil and avocado mousse

Crispy Fried Eggplant, Jalapeño Honey and pickled red onions topped with sesame oil

Chicken Yakitori Skewers

Pork Japanese BBQ gyoza

Grilled Pork Belly, Miso Mustard, Pickled Vegetables

Crispy tempura shrimp with ponzu aioli and pickled vegetables

Stir fry Broccoli with tofu and garlic

Japanese buns with grilled chicken and pickled vegetables

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Shisho and greens salad with edamame with ginger soy dressing

Cabbage and kelp salad with toasted sesame dressing

Green bean and pepper salad with red onions and ponzu dressing

Katsuobushi Caesar and Romaine Salad, Crispy Baguette, Spiced Almond

Root vegetable salad with sesame honey dressing topped with sunflower seeds

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Chefs special

Japanese BBQ seared ahi tuna served with sticky rice and grilled vegetable assortment

Crispy Chicken Katsu with asian slaw and mashed potatoes

Pork Miso Ramen bowl with assorted toppings

Shrimp Tempura sushi maki roll with spicy aioli, pineapple, teriyaki, scallions

Ribeye steak With furikake butter and roasted taro root and bok choy

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Soy milk ice cream with poached pears and black sesame

Steamed buns stuffed with azuki (bean) paste

Ginger custard with candied pecans

Sorbet of the day with tobiko

Matcha flan with dehydrated oishii strawberries

Fruit tart of the day with sake glaze

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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.