Sebastian White is a trained psychotherapist and self-taught chef who worked with youth who were gang-involved, labeled “at-risk”, and struggling with the complexities of life. His work took a personal turn after the unexpected deaths of his aunt, Gwen Barjon, and his father, William White, Jr. In their honor, he founded The Evolved Network, NFP and established Evolved Kitchen and Garden, LLC. From being nationally recognized by acclaimed Chef Paul Kahan through his nomination for “Chef to Watch” in 2024 by Insidehook Magazine to being featured in Mariano’s Chicago Chefs Cookbook, a recognized Mariano’s tastemaker in Chicago Magazine, and most recently named one of the six best Private Chefs in Chicago by Modern Luxury and Chicago Social Magazine, Sebastian’s culinary momentum continues to grow. Sebastian seeks to inspire youth through food and use its lessons to heal. He believes that the lessons of culinary arts, gardening, and financial literacy offer transformative and transcending insights and growth when explored thoughtfully and critically. Tactile experiences like cooking and gardening teach youth essential life skills such as patience, responsibility, teamwork, and caring for one another. These activities empower, nourish, and draw out the uniqueness in young people by giving experiential access to choice in all its possibilities.
All prices are an estimation and vary based on guest count, event location, and menu. You will get a better estimate during the booking process.
Originally from Dallas, Texas, but spent summers and holidays in the DMV with my father. I consider Chicago home now and the place I’m proud to raise my two daughters
Given all of my relationships across Chicago’s incredibly talented and philanthropic chef scene I’m reluctant to answer. I’ll simply say my most recent favorite culinary experience was at Carino in Uptown.
My next dish and I mean that literally as I’m always pursuing what’s next in terms of this culinary journey. Those explorations even if its just a sauce or a concept add to my repertoire of possibilities for what I offer in inspiring people who experience my food.
While I respect traditionalist perspectives and their values on diversity, cultural narratives, and their importance. My perspective on food engages a great deal of fusion and highlights the beauty of different cultures and their uniqueness and how they can harmonize together. I conceptualize holistically, where everything on the plate is meant to be put on your fork and spoon and highlight the beauty of each component and how they come together.
When I’m not in the kitchen or fulfilling my professional and philanthropic responsibilities to the nonprofit: The Evolved Network I’ve founded and lead, I’m generally with my kids. Work takes up a great deal of my time, so the time I can carve out to be with my children is essential to me and there just isn’t a better way to take up that time. As a former collegiate football player and lifelong sports fan I also love watching sports and just relaxing with the family. Go Birds!
I love the capacity to build something that is yours and can fully represent you and what you put into it. I love being able to control how you invest your energy. I love that capacity to form relationships with clients that offers a level of intimacy and relatability that’s not always possible in a restaurant format. I love the opportunity to show my creativity and how I continue to evolve in terms of my food and bring others along that journey in a way that is organic and true to where I am in my evolution at any given time.
