Chef Daniel Aurel

My name is chef Daniel Aurel, and I am a professional chef with more than ten years of diverse culinary experience. I was raised in a family where food was central to everyday life, and I learned to cook at a very young age — beginning at 8 years old and developing my own style by the time I was 12. My earliest teachers were my mother, grandmother, uncle, and father, each of whom influenced my respect for ingredients, traditions, and the craft of cooking.

Over the course of my career, I have worked in multiple positions throughout the culinary field, gaining extensive experience across different kitchen environments before moving into my current role as a head chef. These roles helped me build a strong foundation in technique, leadership, menu development, and high-volume cooking.

I enhanced my training through formal studies at Sullivan University and Joliet Junior College, where I deepened my understanding of classical and international cuisines and refined the skills needed to execute food at a professional and consistent level.

My culinary style is rooted in my Haitian heritage, enriched by Southern soul food traditions, and expanded by my experience with Asian and Indian cuisines. This blend of cultural influences allows me to create dishes that are vibrant, well-balanced, and crafted with precision.

As a private chef, I bring discipline, creativity, and a passion for excellence to every client I serve. My goal is to provide a memorable dining experience built on flavor, technique, and genuine hospitality.