LEVEL UP | Best of Local
ALI TILA As the wife and business partner of Food Network Celebrity Chef Jet Tila, Ali Tila co-owns and manages their culinary empire, including restaurant partnerships in Los Angeles and Dallas. After finishing pastry school, Ali has built a huge following of her own. Her instructional culinary videos and live streaming interactive videos #EatLikeaPro on Facebook include family/lifestyle content that have hundreds of thousands of views.
FERNANDA TAPIA Fernanda was named one of the “Top 30 Under 30” in the Boston restaurant scene by Zagat. In 2013, she started the cooking school at 51 Lincoln, then went to work for Max Ultimate Food, and Sarma. In 2014, Fernanda opened Comedor, and received numerous accolades, including “Best South American Restaurant” in 2016, and “Best West Brunch” in 2017. Chef Fernanda is also a two-time Chopped champion. In 2020, she sold her restaurant Comedor and has since been working as a private chef. JONATHAN ZARAGOZA Chef Jonathan Zaragoza was raised on Chicago’s Southside by a tight-knit family with strong cooking roots — he recalls standing on a step stool, helping his mother stir eggs as a 5 year old. At the age of 12, in the backyard of their home, Zaragoza began learning to make birria, roasted goat from Jalisco, in a wood-burning oven built by his grandfather and father. His task was to start the fire, tending to it until the goat was ready to go in for its overnight roast. In 2007, Birrieria Zaragoza opened its doors giving Zaragoza a platform to create and continue learning from while diving headfirst into Chicago’s hospitality industry. From working at Sepia and Sixteen as a young cook, cutting his teeth on the Michelin circuit, to becoming the chef of Masa Azul at 22, Zaragoza’s culinary abilities have afforded him acclaim and the world as his kitchen. His path has taken him throughout Mexico, deep into it’s rich culinary heritage, to bring it’s traditions with him to London, Dubai, Paris and across the US. Lately, you’ll find Jonathan raising his pup Wednesday, volunteering with the Gardeneers, and sitting on the advisory board for Illinois Restaurant Association.
Appearance fees include up to 1-hour appearance. Pricing is subject to change.
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