Chef Jane Cajuste

Personal Chef In Evanston

Took a leap of faith and pursued my passion a few years back. Bid farewell to the accounting job, enrolled in culinary school (Le Cordon Bleu), and honed my skills at various restaurants. Now, I spend my days teaching others the art of cooking, catering events, and serving as a personal chef for a select few families. Every moment I spend in the kitchen is a pure joy.

For me, cooking is...

Cooking is like breathing, second nature. The thing that I want to do for the rest of my life. Food is the one thing we all have in common.

I learned to cook at...

All the amazing chefs in my family. Culinary school , my internships, and working as a line cook at Found in Evanston gave me my foundational skills.

A cooking secret...

is that I never stop learning. Food is vast so I stay sharp by constantly cooking, and consuming food media.

My menus

Bold Southern Barbecue

STARTER

Choose 2 dishes

Chorizo and Shrimp Hush Puppies, Caramelized Onion Dip

Fried Chicken Gizzards & Livers, Pickled Apple Slaw, Sage Lemon Aioli

Herb Biscuits, Pimento Cheese, and Prosciutto

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Black Eyed Pea Croquettes, Bacon Marmalade, Pickled Collards & Swiss Chard

Fried Green Tomato, Avocado Mousse, Crab Salad (available in spring and summer only)

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Barbecue Crispy Pork Shoulder, Parsnip Mash, Glazed Carrots, and Wilted Greens

Smothered Turkey Leg, Tasso Cheddar Grits, Chow Chow and Crunchy Okra Bits

Smoked Lamb Shanks, Pomegranate Molasses, Wilted Greens, Creamy Risotto

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Apple Bread Pudding, Caramel, Rum Raisin Ice Cream

Bananas Foster, Vanilla Bean Cream, Peanut Brittle

Sophisticated Mexican Fare

STARTER

All inclusive

Seared Scallops with Aguachile

FIRST COURSE

All inclusive

Butternut Squash Oxtail Pozole

MAIN COURSE

All inclusive

Yucatan Spiced Quail, Cilantro Lime Rice, Braised Chayote Squash, Mole Negro, Pepitas

DESSERT

All inclusive

Custard, Mango and Passion Fruit Sauce

Chinese Take Out At Home

STARTER

All inclusive

Vegetable Spring Rolls (Basil, Cilantro, Mint, Lettuce, Carrots)

Crab Rangoon (crab meat, cream cheese, chesnuts, wrapped in crispy wonton wrapper) served with plum sauce

FIRST COURSE

All inclusive

Spring Rolls ( Shrimp, Basil, Cilantro, Mint, Lettuce, Carrots) with sweet and spicy sesame dipping sauce

MAIN COURSE

All inclusive

Chicken Fried Rice (Peas, Carrots, Onions, Peppers, Broccoli, Eggs, Chinese Five Spice)

DESSERT

All inclusive

Japanese

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

Yuzu Marinated Mushrooms ( soy, rice wine vinegar, honey, shiitake salt)

Miso Soup ( dashi, tofu, edamame, scallions)

Tuna Crudo ( ginger, sesame, wasabi, cucumber, wonton chip)

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Carrot and Daikon Salad, Rice Wine Vinegar, Soy, Brown Sugar

Soba Noodle Salad (cucumber, carrot, daikon, spring onions, sesame vinaigrette)

Ramen ( Udon Noodles, Vegetables, Beef Miso Broth, Egg, Bean Sprouts) Add Beef, Pork Belly, Shrimp or Chicken as Protein

Charred Romaine, Radishes, Carrots, Edamame, Crispy Wonton Strips, Ginger Dressing

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Japanese Fried Chicken, Lettuce, Pickles, Ginger Aioli, Furikake French Fries

Seared Salmon (ponzu glaze, sticky sesame rice, charred bok choy)

Japanese Short Ribs (Sake and Ginger Barbecue sauce) Served with mashed root veg, charred bok choy and glazzed carrots

Japanese Beef Curry and Sticky Rice Seasonal Mixed Vegetables

Japanese Seared Butter Scallops, Silky Root Veg Puree, Charred Vegetables, Herb Sauce Lemon

Yakitori Chicken, Sesame Noodles, Seasonal Vegetables

Braised Pork Belly, Pork Broth, Sticky Rice, Seasonal Vegetables

DESSERT

All inclusive

Apple Crepes, Caramel, Rum Raisin Ice Cream

Caramel Custard ( candied grapefruit, matcha whipped cream)

Assortment of Mochi Ice Cream

Crepes, Caramelized Banana, Chocolate Ganache, Orange Ginger Whipped Cream

Big Bold Flavor

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

Twice Fried Plantains with Spicy Slaw

Cod Fish Fritters, Potatoes, Spices Blend with Aji Verde

Filipino Chicken Eggrolls, Mango Sweet and Sour Sauce

Roasted Poblano Soup

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Thai Coconut Shrimp Soup

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Cumin Spiced Steak, Cilantro Lime Rice, Charred Chayote Squash, Chimichurri Sauce

Smoked Paprika Chicken, Mash Potatoes, Braised Red Cabbage

Garlic Butter Basted Rib Eye, Cream of Spinach, Yuca Fries

Braised Chicken & Turmeric Ginger Sauce, Charred Bok Choy, Coconut Rice

Seared Steak, Anchovy Butter, Green Beans, Crispy Smashed Potatoes

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Turkish Crepes, Apricot Chutney, Marscrapone Mousse, Toasted Almonds

Bread Pudding, Whipped Cream, Vanilla Sauce, Berries

Chocolate Brownies, Chiles, Cinnamon, Whipped Cream, Candied Peppitas

South American Cuisine

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

Lamb Meatballs with Chimichurri

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Braised Chicken Empanadas, Spicy Roasted Pepper Sauce

Peruvian Shrimp Chowder, Spicy Creamy Broth, Vegetables, Poached Eggs

Chayote Cream Soup, Lime, Spiced Pepitas

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Braised Duck Tacos, Charred Tortillas, Orange Tomatillo Salsa, Cilantro Lime Rice

Adobo Lamb, Yucca Mash, Spicy Cinnamon Honey Glazed Carrots

Beef Stew, Lima Beans, Acorn Squash, Lima Beans

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Custard with Caramel Sauce

Mexican Chocolate Mousse, Cinnamon Cookie Crumble, Vanilla Cream

Crepes Cajeta, Sweet Cream, Pecans, Berries

Family Style Italian

STARTER

All inclusive

Charcuterie Board, Sourdough, Prosciutto, Soppressata, Roasted Red Peppers, Olives, Assortment of Hard & Soft Cheese, Jam, Mostarda,

FIRST COURSE

All inclusive

Butter Lettuce, Mixed Greens, Charred Radicchio, Celery, White Beans, Red Onions, Red Wine Vinaigrette

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Lasagna, Ground Fennel Sausage, Bechamel, Mozzarella, Pomodoro, Basil

Chicken Piccata, Broccoli Rabe, Tagliatelle

Italian Style Shrimp, Mixed Seasonal, Parmesan Risotto

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Mascarpone Cream, Mixed Berries, Honey, Pistachios

Vanilla Panna Cotta, Seasonal Fruit Compote, Shortbread Cookie

Japanese Street Food

STARTER

Choose 2 dishes

Shrimp Fritters, Ginger Aioli, Dried Seaweed, Bonito Flakes

Chicken Dumplings with Plum Sauce

Scallion Pancakes, Sriracha Aioli, Cabbage Slaw, Sesame Seeds

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Miso Soup, Tofu, Wakame

Carrot and Daikon Salad, Rice Wine Vinegar, Soy, Brown Sugar

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Japanese Fried Chicken, Lettuce, Pickles, Ginger Aioli, Furikake French Fries

Japanese Beef Curry and Sticky Rice

DESSERT

All inclusive

Crepes, Caramelized Banana, Chocolate Ganache

Bold Southern Barbecue

STARTER

Choose 2 dishes

Chorizo and Shrimp Hush Puppies, Caramelized Onion Dip

Fried Chicken Gizzards & Livers, Pickled Apple Slaw, Sage Lemon Aioli

Herb Biscuits, Pimento Cheese, and Prosciutto

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Black Eyed Pea Croquettes, Bacon Marmalade, Pickled Collards & Swiss Chard

Fried Green Tomato, Avocado Mousse, Crab Salad (available in spring and summer only)

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Barbecue Crispy Pork Shoulder, Parsnip Mash, Glazed Carrots, and Wilted Greens

Smothered Turkey Leg, Tasso Cheddar Grits, Chow Chow and Crunchy Okra Bits

Smoked Lamb Shanks, Pomegranate Molasses, Wilted Greens, Creamy Risotto

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Apple Bread Pudding, Caramel, Rum Raisin Ice Cream

Bananas Foster, Vanilla Bean Cream, Peanut Brittle

Sophisticated Mexican Fare

STARTER

All inclusive

Seared Scallops with Aguachile

FIRST COURSE

All inclusive

Butternut Squash Oxtail Pozole

MAIN COURSE

All inclusive

Yucatan Spiced Quail, Cilantro Lime Rice, Braised Chayote Squash, Mole Negro, Pepitas

DESSERT

All inclusive

Custard, Mango and Passion Fruit Sauce

Chinese Take Out At Home

STARTER

All inclusive

Vegetable Spring Rolls (Basil, Cilantro, Mint, Lettuce, Carrots)

Crab Rangoon (crab meat, cream cheese, chesnuts, wrapped in crispy wonton wrapper) served with plum sauce

FIRST COURSE

All inclusive

Spring Rolls ( Shrimp, Basil, Cilantro, Mint, Lettuce, Carrots) with sweet and spicy sesame dipping sauce

MAIN COURSE

All inclusive

Chicken Fried Rice (Peas, Carrots, Onions, Peppers, Broccoli, Eggs, Chinese Five Spice)

DESSERT

All inclusive

Japanese

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

Yuzu Marinated Mushrooms ( soy, rice wine vinegar, honey, shiitake salt)

Miso Soup ( dashi, tofu, edamame, scallions)

Tuna Crudo ( ginger, sesame, wasabi, cucumber, wonton chip)

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Carrot and Daikon Salad, Rice Wine Vinegar, Soy, Brown Sugar

Soba Noodle Salad (cucumber, carrot, daikon, spring onions, sesame vinaigrette)

Ramen ( Udon Noodles, Vegetables, Beef Miso Broth, Egg, Bean Sprouts) Add Beef, Pork Belly, Shrimp or Chicken as Protein

Charred Romaine, Radishes, Carrots, Edamame, Crispy Wonton Strips, Ginger Dressing

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Japanese Fried Chicken, Lettuce, Pickles, Ginger Aioli, Furikake French Fries

Seared Salmon (ponzu glaze, sticky sesame rice, charred bok choy)

Japanese Short Ribs (Sake and Ginger Barbecue sauce) Served with mashed root veg, charred bok choy and glazzed carrots

Japanese Beef Curry and Sticky Rice Seasonal Mixed Vegetables

Japanese Seared Butter Scallops, Silky Root Veg Puree, Charred Vegetables, Herb Sauce Lemon

Yakitori Chicken, Sesame Noodles, Seasonal Vegetables

Braised Pork Belly, Pork Broth, Sticky Rice, Seasonal Vegetables

DESSERT

All inclusive

Apple Crepes, Caramel, Rum Raisin Ice Cream

Caramel Custard ( candied grapefruit, matcha whipped cream)

Assortment of Mochi Ice Cream

Crepes, Caramelized Banana, Chocolate Ganache, Orange Ginger Whipped Cream

Chef Jane's reviews

•

8 services

Jane was fantastic. The food was out of this world. She was friendly and made a perfect night spectacular!

Jane was great. very personable and was able to answer all of our questions. The food was excellent. The menu was creative and exceeded our expectations. The kitchen was cleaner than before she started.

Chef Jane was very professional and personable. She maintained cleanliness and the proper sanitation to make us feel safe and comfortable as she prepared our food. The food was just as it was presented in the menu prior to the dinner as well as even more delicious than we could’ve imagined. We thank her so much for creating a menu that was so perfect to fit our diet and dinner needs/wants. She listens and is very detailed.

Jane was fantastic. The food was out of this world. She was friendly and made a perfect night spectacular!