Chef Layla Nader

Chef At Home in Chicago

I was born in Colombia to Lebanese parents, and my love for cooking began at home. From my mother, I learned that food is more than nourishment, it is a way to express love and bring people together. I grew up watching her prepare meals for hours, only to see the joy on everyone’s faces when they gathered around the table. In those moments, I understood that gastronomy was my calling.

Now based in the United States, I bring over 15 years of experience working in catering companies, hotels, and restaurants. Throughout my career, I have combined tradition, technique, and creativity to craft memorable dining experiences. Whether it’s an intimate dinner, a gathering of friends and family, a corporate event, or weekly in-home meal preparation, I approach each occasion with care and attention to detail.

My philosophy is simple: food should connect people, inspire conversation, and transform every meal into a meaningful experience.

I am passionate, attentive, and deeply respectful of every guest I serve. I work with fresh, seasonal ingredients, carefully selecting high-quality products and preparing them with flavors designed to linger in your memory long after the last bite.

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

Chef's Signature Experience

STARTER

Choose 2 dishes

Mini Crab Cakes with lemon Alioli | Golden, delicate crab cakes served with a bright citrus aioli

Creamy burrata with Heirloom tomatoes, balsamic pearls & Basil Oil served with herbs crostini

Lobster Bisque with cognac cream | Silky lobster bisque finish with cognac and fresh herbs for deep, elegant flavor

FIRST COURSE

All inclusive

Salad: Baby Arugula, pear, candied Walnut & Gorgonzola with Honey Lavander Vinaigrette

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Filet Mignon with red wine demi-Glace, Truffle Mashed potatoes & Grilled Asparagus, seasonal Vegetables

Filet Mignon & Seared Jumbo Shrimp Duo – With Garlic potato purée, charred asparagus, and red wine demi-glace

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

Risotto Di Mare| Shrimp, Calamari, Scallops, Mussels and Clams

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Vanilla crème brûlée with Berries | A Classic French dessert with perfectly caramelized sugar crust

Warm Chocolate Lava Cake, with Vanilla ice Cream, Coulis and fresh Berries

Sunlit Shores

STARTER

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Caponata Antipasto (vegetarian)

Mediterranean Plate (vegetarian)

Eggplant Rollatini Parmigiana

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

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Penne al Pesto with Parmigiano romano Cheese

Pasta Carbonara with Bacon an Parmigiano Cheese

Risotto ai Fungi | Mushroom risotto with herbs and Parmesan

Burrata with Local tomatoes & basil oil, Grilled Avocado and Peach

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Penne with Chicken in Vodka Tomato Sauce/Broccoli and sun-Dried Tomato

Eggplant Lasagna with Bolognese (Impossible meat) (vegetarian)

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

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

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

Pasta al Pomodoro e Basilico| Classic Pasta With Fresh Tomato Sauce an basil add Grilled Chicken or Shrimp

Chicken Picatta | Pan -seared chicken Breast, lemon, capers, white wine sauce. Served with roasted potatoes and Vegetable bouquet

Chicken Marsala | Chicken Breast in Marsala wine Mushrooms sauce, Served with potato gratin and Broccoli

Shrimp Scampi Pasta | Linguine tossed with Garlic, White wine, lemon, and parsley

Pasta al Pesto with Chicken and Vegetables

Salmon Parpadelle Alfredo

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Panna Cotta with Berries

Cheesecake with Berries

Classic Tiramisu

L’Atelier Gourmand

STARTER

Choose 2 dishes

Large Brie in Puff Pastry with Apricot Preserve (vegetarian) served with crostini

Fresh Oysters with Champagne Mignonette and Caviar Premium oysters served chilled with shallot vinaigrette, champagne, and caviar pearls

Crab or Tuna & Avocado Timbale with Lemon Emulsion Elegant layered presentation, fresh and delicate

Black Truffle Blinis with Crème Fraîche and Smoked Salmon Mini French pancakes topped with smoked salmon, crème fraîche, and truffle oil

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Provençal Bouillabaisse (French Seafood Stew) Saffron-infused broth with premium seafood, refined portion

French Onion Soup Gratinée Caramelized onion soup topped with melted Gruyère cheese

Ricotta & Truffle Ravioli in Sage Butter Fresh handmade pasta infused with truffle aroma

Golden Seared Scallops with Osetra Caviar & Truffled Cauliflower Cream

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Atlantic salmon topped with sautéed cherry tomatoes and a basil Creamy Sauce, Creamy Mashed Potatoes and Asparagus, Carrots Caramelized

French Chicken Breast Stuffed with Fig & Apricot, Seasonal Veg and Gratin Potato

Chilean Sea Bass with Beurre Blanc – Chilean sea bass with white wine and butter sauce

Herb & Dijon Crusted Rack of Lamb Served with cauliflower purée and glazed baby vegetables

Red Wine Braised Short Ribs (Modern Bourguignon Style) Served with celery root purée and glazed pearl carrots

Pistachio & Honey Crusted Salmon With lemon beurre blanc and couscous

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Vanilla crème brûlée with Berries | A Classic French dessert with perfectly caramelized sugar crust

Dark Chocolate Mousse with Edible Gold Rich, silky, and visually stunning

Amalfi Indulgence

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

Eggplant Rollatini Parmigiana

Caponata Antipasto (vegetarian)

Wild Mushroom Risotto Balls (vegetarian)

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

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Agnolotti Carbonara

Creamy Tomato soup and Basil served on mini cheese Bread Crust

Roasted Carrot & Ginger Soup (vegetarian)

Creamy Wild Mushroom Soup

Lobster & Corn Risotto – Creamy risotto with lobster chunks and sweet corn. Asparagus and Zucchini with caramelized Onions

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Eggplant Lasagna with Bolognese (Impossible meat) (vegetarian)

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

Risotto di Mare with Shrimp, Calamari, Mussels & Clams

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

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

Cannelloni Scampi Di Mare| Shrimp, Fresh Mozzarella and Ricotta Cheeses blended and Stuffed into the pasta rolled pasta sheets. Oven Baked and Covered Creamy Cardinale Lobster Sauce

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

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Classic Tiramisu

Vanilla crème brûlée with Berries | A Classic French dessert with perfectly caramelized sugar crust

Limoncello Mascarpone Cake

Mediterranean/Tapas & Paellas Menu

STARTER

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

Chicken or Ham Croquets/Croquetas de Jamón o Pollo

Traditional Spanish egg and potato omelet Tortilla de patatas y cebolla

FIRST COURSE

All inclusive

Mediterranean Salad & Baguette Bread

MAIN COURSE

Choose 2 dishes

SEAFOOD PAELLA - Shrimp, Scallops, Mussels, Calamari, Clams, Fish and Crab, Safron, Pearl Rice, and Vegetables, garnished with lemons and Roasted red Pepper

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

VALENCIAN PAELLA - Chicken, Pork Ribs, Vegetables, Safron, pearl rice, garnished with red roasted Peppers and Lemon

VEGETARIAN PAELLA - Eggplant, green beans, bell peppers, Zucchini, broccoli, asparagus, Mushroom, if an ingredient is not available it will be replaced

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Churros with chocolate or dulce de leche,

Caramel Flan

Crema Catalana

Mediterranean/Italian – BASIC