Chef Layla Nader

Chef At Home in Chicago

I was born in Barranquilla, Colombia, and I am the daughter of Lebanese immigrants. I currently live in the United States, and during 15 years of catering experience, I bring warmth, elegance, and creativity to every table—whether it’s an intimate dinner, a corporate event, or weekly chef-prepared meals at home. My philosophy is simple: food should connect people, inspire, and turn every meal into a golden moment.

Passionate, accommodating and with great respect for the guests, offering dishes with fresh, seasonal ingredients and cooked with a seasoning that will stay in your memory.

For me, cooking is...

For me, cooking is creating moments that connect people and inspire joy, is bringing elegance and soul to every table I serve.

I learned to cook at...

Institut Vatel Paris France Escuela de Restauracion y Hosteleria Madrid Espana

A cooking secret...

The secret is simple: Fresh Ingredients, bold Flavors, and love y passion in every dish. My cooking style is refined yet soulful—rooted in tradition

My menus

Mediterranean/Italian – INDULGE MENU

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

Eggplant Rollatini Parmigiana

Fig Brie en Croute (vegetarian)

Caponata Antipasto (vegetarian)

Wild Mushroom Risotto Balls (vegetarian)

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Agnolotti Carbonara

Sicilian Arancini |Arborio rice stuffed with Mozzarella, Bolognese meat and Tiny Peas)

Roasted Beet Salad with Goat Cheese (vegetarian)

Creamy Tomato Soup on Bread Crust (vegetarian)

Ravioli with Fresh Shrimp and Scallops served over Cheese Ravioli with Creamy Cardinale Lobster sauce

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Chicken Saltimbocca

Eggplant Lasagna with Bolognese (Impossible meat) (vegetarian)

Atlantic Salmon with Cherry Tomatoes & Basil Cream, Risotto & Asparagus

Risotto di Mare with Shrimp, Calamari, Mussels & Clams

Agnolotti Carbonara| Ravioli in an Carbonara Sauce with smoked Bacon, Cremini Mushrooms, onion and Peas

Classic lasagna Bolognese, witn paemesan cheese, salad ann garlic bread

Beef Tenderloin with Demi-glace Mushroom sauce (Portion 6.50 OZ), Creamy polenta , grilled Asparagus, Carrots Caramelized

DESSERT

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Classic Tiramisu

Vanilla Crème Brulee

Panna cotta with berries

Tropical Passion Fruit Panna Cotta

• Sicilian Canoli with Pistachio cream Filling

Brunch Festive

STARTER

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Pancakes with Berry Compote - Pancakes served with warm mixed-berry compote and powdered sugar

Smoked Salmon Toasts - Sourdough toast with lemon cream cheese, cucumber ribbons, capers, red onion, and dill

Baked Brie with Honey & Walnuts - Warm brie topped with honey, toasted walnuts, and fresh thyme. Served with crostinis

FIRST COURSE

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Rosemary Roasted Potatoes

Arugula, Pear & Walnut Salad with maple-mustard vinaigrette

Maple-Glazed Thick-Cut Bacon

Seasonal Fruit Parfait Cups

MAIN COURSE

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Soft Scrambled Eggs with Gruyère & Chives - Ultra-creamy eggs are finished with butter, Gruyère cheese, and fresh chives. Served with toasted sourdough

Mini Country fried Chicken & Waffles - Buttermilk mini waffles with crispy chicken bites and spicy maple drizzle

Croissant Melt - Warm croissant filled with Prosciutto ham, Swiss cheese, and Dijon mustard or Chicken salad

Gourmet Breakfast Burritos - Flour tortillas filled with soft eggs, cheddar, crispy potatoes, bacon or chorizo, and pico de gallo. Lightly toasted to order. 5. Montecristo Strata

DESSERT

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Mini Pastries

Chocolate Chip Muffins

Cinnamon Sugar Churro Bites (easy, fast, delicious)

Mediterranean & Lebanese Menu

STARTER

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Beef fried Kibbeh with labneh cucumber sauce

Arnabeth Mekle| Cauliflower, chickpeas, and pine nuts with tahini sauce

Warak Enab |Grape leaves stuffed with rice, ground beef, Tomato and onion

Falafel bites

Warak Malfouf| Cabbage Leaves stuffed with Rice and Ground Beef

Classic Garlic Hummus| Chickpea puree, tahini, lemon, olive

Baba Ghanouj | Smoke Grilled eggplant, Tahini Sauce, lemon Juice and Olive oil

Hummus Bi lahme| Homemade Hummus topped with Grilled Beef

Muhammara| Red Pepper, Walnuts, Breadcrumbs, Pomegranate Molasses, and Olive oil

MIXED DIPS | Chickpea Hummus, Labneh, Mouhammara and Baba Ghanouj

Eggplant with olive oil, oregano, scallions, tomato, and pomegranate molasses

Moussaka | Ragout of roasted Eggplant, tomatoes, Garlic and spices

Batata Harra | Potatoes. Cilantro, Aleppo pepper, Garlic, olive oil

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Fattoush salad| Lettuce, cucumber, tomatoes, radishes, onion, Parsley toasted pita, sumac and Lemon Vinaigrette

Tabbouleh salad| Chopped Parsley, Tomato, Onion, Bulgur Wheat, Mint, Fresh Lemon Juice and extra Virgin Olive oil

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Salmon Harra |Roasted salmon fillet, sautéed vegetables, tahini sauce, cilantro, crushed peppers)

Branzino Filet

Shish Kafta| Ground beef mixed with onion, parsley, Baharat Spices

Shish Tawok | Chicken Skewers with Vegetables

Lamb Skewers

Classic Lebanese rice with chicken, almonds, and pine nuts

Lamb Rack | Grilled Lamb with Labneh and mint Sauce

Grilled Prawns | with harissa, lemon and fresh herbs

Beef Kebabs Skewers| Tenderloin Pieces with Vegetables

Grilled Chicken Breast with Tarator Sauce

DESSERT

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Baklawa

Date mamoul

Namura

Mediterranean/Italian – BASIC

STARTER

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Caponata Antipasto (vegetarian)

Mediterranean Plate (vegetarian)

Eggplant Rollatini Parmigiana

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Butternut Squash & Apple Soup

Creamy Tomato and Basil Soup on Cheese Bread Crust (vegetarian)

Honey Ginger Quinoa Salad (Red grape Halves, Chopped apricot Daikon Radish, and red Onion with Honey Ginger Dressing)

Golden Beetroot Carpaccio with Goat Cheese & Candied Pecans

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Lasagna alla Bolognese

Penne with Chicken in Vodka Tomato Sauce

Eggplant Lasagna with Bolognese (Impossible meat) (vegetarian)

Classic Risotto & Asparagus (vegetarian)

Atlantic Salmon Filet with lemon and capers Butter sauce, with Risotto Butternut Squash Roasted Vegetables

Atlantic Salmon Filet with lemon and capers Butter sauce, with Risotto Fungi, Roasted Vegetabled

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Sicilian Canoli with Pistachio Cream Filling

Panna Cotta with Berries

Cheesecake with Berries

Classic Tiramisu

Vanilla Crème Brulee with Berries

French – INDULGE MENU

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

Large Brie in Puff Pastry with Apricot Preserve (vegetarian)

Roasted Beet Salad with Goat Cheese (vegetarian)

French Truffle Mushroom Velouté – Infused with black truffle. Alternative: Seared Halloumi Salad

Charcuterie Board Our Classic Cheese Board, paired with a medley of cured and spiced meats

Charcuterie and cheese, olives, Serrano Ham, Manchego Cheese, Chorizón, with bread, crackers, biscuits, and fresh fruits

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Golden Seared Scallops & Truffled Cauliflower Cream

Baby spinach salad with strawberry, dried cranberries, sunflowers seeds, crumbled goat cheese offered with a Balsamic Vinaigrette

Crab & Corn Salad – Crab and sweet corn salad with lemon and fresh cilantro

Crunchy Kale Salad | Kale, Red Cabbage, Granny Smith Apples, Almonds, Dried Currants, and orange Miso Vinaigrette

ROASTED BEET & ROASTED PEPPER SALAD Salad with Mesclun greens, roasted beets, roasted red & yellow peppers, feta cheese and toasted walnuts Served with balsamic vinaigrette

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Beef Tenderloin with Demi-Glace Mushroom Sauce, gratin potato and roasted Vegetables

French Chicken Breast Stuffed with Fig & Apricot, Seasonal Veg

Roasted Salmon with Beurre Blanc

Atlantic salmon toppe. d with sautéed cherry tomatoes and a basil Creamy Sauce, Classic Risotto and Asparagus

Bronzini Filet with lemon and capers Butter sauce, with Risotto Fungi, Roasted Vegetabled

Braised Short Ribs with Fingerling Potatoes & Roasted Green Beans

DESSERT

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Vanilla Crème Brulee

Dark Chocolate Mousse with Berries

Pumpkin Praline Cheesecake

MENU BIRTHDAY

STARTER

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Sicilian Arancini |Arborio rice stuffed with Mozzarella, Bolognese meat and Tiny Peas)

Mini Chicken Tinga Tacos with Avocado Crema & Pickle Onions

Mini Smash Burger sliders /Brioche buns, caramelized onions, Sharp Cheddar and House secret Sauce

Buffalo Chicken Mac & Cheese bites with Chiplote Aioli

Bruschetta Board Tomato Basil, Whipped Ricotta & Honey, Roasted Peppers

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Creamy Tomato Soup with Basil (vegetarian)

Roasted Corn and Poblano soup, Lightly Creamy, Topped with Crispy Tortilla Strips

Butternut Squash & Apple Soup

• Agnolotti Carbonara| Ravioli in an Carbonara Sauce with smoked Bacon, Cremini Mushrooms, onion and Peas

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Vegetable Napoleon (vegetarian)

Chicken Saltimbocca | Scalloppini of Chicken with Prosciutto, sage and Mozzarella cheese with Wine sauce, pasta and Asparagus, carrots caramelized

MIXED PAELLA - Chicken, Spanish Chorizo, Pork Ribs, Shrimp, Calamari, Mussels, Clams, Vegetables, Safron, garnished with Lemons, Olive, and roasted Peppers

Pan seared Tenderloin of Beef with Chimichurri Sauce, Rustic Potatoes and Vegetables

Braised Short Ribs (Boneless) slow Cooked in red wine & herbs, served With Parmesan Mashed potatoes, Roasted garlic Broccoli and Carrots

• Lasagna all a Bolognese| Layers of Fresh pasta, Ricotta, Mozzarella, Parmesan and Bolognese beef sauce topped Bechamel sauce and More Cheeses, with Caesar salad and garlic Bread

• Penne with Chicken | Penne with a creamy Vodka Tomato Sauce, Broccoli and Sundried Tomato, toped with Chicken Breast, Salad and Garlic Bread

Chicken Parmesan served with Buttered Fettuccine with Basil, Roasted Zucchini & Cherry Tomato

DESSERT

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Warm Chocolate Lava Cakes, with Vanilla ice Cream & fresh Berries

Tiramisu cups

Cheesecake with Berries

Local – BASIC MENU

STARTER

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Butternut Squash & Apple Soup (vegetarian)

Jackfruit Ceviche (vegetarian)

Maryland Crab Cakes with Remoulade Sauce

Roasted Beet Salad with Arugula, Goat Cheese, Candied Walnuts & Orange Vinaigrette (vegetarian)

FIRST COURSE

All inclusive

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Herb Brined and Oven Roasted Turkey with Giblet Gravy and Cranberry Orange Relish

BBQ Short Ribs with Fingerling Potatoes & Roasted Green Beans

Roasted Salmon with Beurre Blanc Sauce

Tofu & Roasted Autumn Vegetables (vegetarian)

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Apple Pie with Vanilla Ice Cream

Cheesecake with Berries

Classic Tiramisu

Carrot Cake with Maple Cream Cheese Frosting

Mediterranean/Italian – EXCLUSIVE MENU

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

Salmon Carpaccio with Parmesan

Caponata Antipasto (vegetarian)

Tuna, Mango, Avocado Timbale

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Sicilian Arancini

Winter Squash Soup with Pumpkin Seeds (vegetarian)

Mediterranean Plate (vegetarian)

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Cannelloni Scampi di Mare with Creamy Lobster Sauce

Roasted Tenderloin with Cauliflower Puree & Garlicky Broccoli

Vegetable Napoleon (vegetarian)

Risotto Di Mare with Lobster, Shrimp, Calamari & Mussels

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Vanilla Crème Brulee

Sicilian Canoli

Classic Tiramisu

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Chef Layla's reviews

4.83

•

8 services

We had Chef Layla come to our home to celebrate my fiancé’s 30th birthday, and it was such a special experience from start to finish! The food was absolutely incredible - every dish was beautifully prepared, full of flavor, and made with the freshest ingredients. Beyond her amazing cooking, Chef Layla was such a joy to have in our home! She’s warm, professional and clearly so passionate about what she does. To top it all off, her vanilla crème brûlée was one of the best I’ve ever had (and I love crème brûlée). It was the perfect ending to an unforgettable meal. I can’t recommend Chef Layla enough!! She’s talented, personable, and made the whole night feel so special. We’ll definitely be booking her again!

Layla was phenomenal! She was so sweet and made our experience one of a kind. We will definitely be using her again in the future!