Chef Tanya Baker

Personal Chef in Hawley

Raised in the far southeast side of Chicago, I was exposed to a myriad of different cultures, and with that came some pretty incredible food experiences. On top of that, my Korean and Cajun heritage provided a vast foundation of cuisine to indulge in and explore. With food playing such an integral part in my life, I knew at an early age that I wanted to pursue a career as a chef.

After graduating high school, I studied at Le Cordon Bleu in Chicago. With my new degree in hand, I immediately plunged into the professional culinary world. Over the years, I deepened my knowledge of Spanish, French, and Contemporary American cuisine. My biggest passion throughout my career has been teaching and leading young staff with little to no professional kitchen experience. I believe that with a little patience and dedication, anyone can learn to cook and excel at it. I have made it my goal to break the standard “hardcore” atmosphere of kitchens and create an environment where people feel safe and inspired to create and develop their skills with out fear of being constantly berated and belittled. After working 20+ years in the restaurant industry excelling at catering, private events, public functions, opening of several restaurants and more, I am currently developing my catering business, where I can express my true love and passion for Korean (and other!) food and share it with the world.

For me, cooking is...

For me, cooking is my most genuine form of expression and gratitude. I love to host people and make them feel celebrated through food.

I learned to cook at...

Le Cordon Bleu Chicago in 2005. I went on to work in professional kitchens across the Chicagoland area, and am currently in NY/PA as a private chef.

A cooking secret...

My secret in the kitchen is to stick to the basics and keep things simple. I like to showcase a product by enhancing/complimenting it-not masking it.

My menus

Tour de France

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Lyonnaise salad, bacon, egg, dijon, brown butter breadcrumb

French onion soup Tartlets, gruyere, petit greens

Chicken liver mousse, cornichon, baguette, pickled vegetables, whole grain mustard

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Boeuf Bourguignon, pommes puree, roasted carrots and parsnip

Coq au Vin-red wine braised chicken with root vegetables, mushrooms and bacon

Seared Salmon Filet, confit potatoes, haricot verts, tomato vierge

Savory Crepes, swiss chard, gruyere, French green lentils

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Apple tarte tatin, whipped creme fraiche

Chocolate crémeux, butter cookie crumble, salted caramel, seasonal fruit compote

Croissant Bread pudding

Lavender Pot de Crème, white chocolate

Simply Mediterranean

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Lebanese cucumber & tomato salad, crispy pita, feta, kalamata olive, tahini vinaigrette

Beef Kofta Bites, smashed potatoes, tzatziki, heirloom carrot

Baba ganoush, green harissa, house made naan, radish

Lentil Soup, bacon lardon, garlic pistou

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Herb roasted chicken, creamy orzo, asparagus, lemon rosemary jus

Seared salmon, creamy pearl couscous, garlic green beans, harissa

Braised beef, white bean ragout, broccolini

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Lemon Olive oil cake, lemon curd, blueberry

Baklava Cheesecake

Yogurt panna cotta, seasonal fruit

Chocolate Creme caramel

Italian Supper

STARTER

All inclusive

Italian Nosh Board-assorted meat, cheese, spread & accoutrements

FIRST COURSE

Choose 2 dishes

Beef carpaccio, baby arugula, pecorino, caper

Crispy Polenta Cakes, wild mushrooms, herbed butter, parmesan

Mixed greens salad, fresh mozzarella, basil, caramelized fennel, tomato vinaigrette, crispy prosciutto

Burrata, nuda butter, radish & arugula, sourdough

Beef Meatballs, arrabiata

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Beef filet, sweet corn risotto, asparagus

Braised beef, white bean ragout, broccolini

Cacio e pepe Gnocchi, crispy pork belly, asparagus

Seared salmon, creamy couscous, swiss chard, artichoke & fennel gremolata

Roasted chicken, garlic smashed potatoes, butter blanched spinach, Calabrian chili, rosemary chicken jus

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Chocolate cake, espresso chocolate ganache, candied orange

Yogurt panna cotta, seasonal fruit, lady finger streusel

Lemon Curd Tiramisu

Lavender Panna Cotta, macerated black plums, white chocolate

Korean Seoul

STARTER

All inclusive

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Pork Belly Jumeokbap, cucumber, gochujang vinaigrette

Korean dumplings, petit greens, sweet soy vinaigrette

Vegetable Kimbap & Tteokbokki platter

Korean BBQ beef sliders, cucumber kimchi, cabbage slaw

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Beef bulgogi, kabocha squash puree, bok choy, Korean miso

Spicy Korean pork, braised cabbage, root vegetables

Shrimp Japchae, vermicelli noodles, sautéed vegetables, garlic soy glaze

Vegetable Bibimbap, assorted barchan, sticky white rice, fried egg

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Sujeonggwa cheesecake, persimmon, pine nut

Hotteok, sweet red bean pancake, peanut

Chocolate cake, fresh fruit, vanilla cream

Korean Bapsang

STARTER

All inclusive

Korean BBQ beef sliders, cucumber kimchi, cabbage slaw

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Pork Belly Jumeokbap, cucumber, gochujang vinaigrette

Korean dumplings, petit greens, sweet soy vinaigrette

Vegetable Kimbap & Tteokbokki platter

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Korean marinated chicken thighs, soy stewed potatoes, heirloom carrots, Korean sweet potato

Beef bulgogi, kabocha squash puree, bok choy, Korean miso

Spicy Korean pork, braised cabbage, root vegetables

Shrimp Japchae, vermicelli noodles, sautéed vegetables, garlic soy glaze

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Sujeonggwa cheesecake, persimmon, pine nut

Hotteok, sweet red bean pancake, peanut

Chocolate cake, fresh fruit, vanilla cream

Seafood Delight

STARTER

All inclusive

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Nicoise salad, ahi tuna

Salmon tartare, cucumber, sesame, chili, scallion, daikon, taro root chips

Cod brandade, roasted red pepper, crostini

Steamed PEI mussels, caramelized fennel, baguette

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Seared Salmon, parsnip puree, brussel sprout petals, bacon lardon

Atlantic Halibut, kohlrabi, apple, braised red cabbage, cider gastrique

Spanish Octopus, garlic smashed potatoes, chorizo, shishito peppers, chimichurri

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Chocolate cake, pistachio streusel, candied orange, honey yogurt

Lemon Olive oil cake, blueberry mascarpone

Lavender Panna Cotta, macerated black plums, white chocolate

Korean Family style

STARTER

All inclusive

Korean BBQ beef sliders, cucumber kimchi, cabbage slaw

Scallion Pajeon

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Korean dumplings, petit greens, sweet soy vinaigrette

Pork Belly Jumeokbap, cucumber, gochujang vinaigrette

MAIN COURSE

Choose 2 dishes

Beef bulgogi, kabocha squash puree, bok choy, Korean miso

Spicy Korean pork, braised cabbage, root vegetables

Korean marinated chicken thighs, soy stewed potatoes, heirloom carrots, sweet potato

Shrimp Japchae, vermicelli noodles, sautéed vegetables, garlic soy glaze

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Sujeonggwa cheesecake, persimmon, pine nut

Chocolate cake, fresh fruit, vanilla cream

Hotteok, sweet red bean pancake, peanut

Seafood Extravaganza

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

Cod brandade, roasted red pepper, crostini

Shrimp Aguachile

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Nicoise salad, ahi tuna

Salmon tartare, cucumber, sesame, chili, scallion, daikon, taro root chips

Steamed PEI mussels, caramelized fennel, baguette

Maryland crab cakes, mixed greens, dijonaisse

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Spanish Octopus, garlic smashed potatoes, chorizo, shishito peppers, chimichurri

Blackened Cod, creamy pearl couscous, garlic green beans, harissa

Seared Salmon, parsnip puree, brussel sprout petals, bacon lardon

Atlantic Halibut, kohlrabi, apple, braised red cabbage, cider gastrique

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Chocolate cake, pistachio streusel, candied orange, honey yogurt

Chocolate tres leches, banana, dulce de leche

Lemon Olive oil cake, blueberry mascarpone

Lavender Panna Cotta, macerated black plums, white chocolate

Show me more

Chef Tanya's reviews

4.88

•

13 services

Chef Tonya was excellent overall. She accommodated some changes to the menu up front which was great. The food was excellent and the presentation was amazing. Overall a great experience for my wife and I. The dessert I swear was one of the best I’ve had on a long time, would highly recommend her.

Chef Tanya did an incredible job! I hired her for an 8 person dinner party and the event was a complete success thanks to her. The menu she prepared was korean influenced and every single dish was amazing. The presentation and explanation with each dish was great as well. I would absolutely hire her for another event.

Chef Tanya was absolutely incredible! It’s a complete joy to experience a private dinner curated by a chef who is TRULY passionate about her craft. Chef Tanya arrived on time with all of her tools and food ready to be prepped and served. She was extremely warm and engaging and interacted with us every step of the way. She also went above and beyond and made the experience for my fiancé a night to remember! I HIGHLY recommend Chef Tanya for any of your events! You will not regret it! Oh, and I am STILL craving her salmon tartare!

Tania is great, gentle, personable and kind, pays attention to detail. I really enjoyed eating food she made. She brought her own dishes and plates which was truly surprising.

Tanya is a rockstar! We really enjoyed having her cook for us. She made the best meal we have ever had.

My gf and I booked Chef Tanya for our anniversary and we could not be happier. We’ve already started recommending her to my friends. She made the entire experience very enjoyable from the great conversation to the incredible food. The flavor of all the dishes she made was mind-blowing and very imaginative. She also gave us a lot of attention and was a joy to talk to; she’s a genuinely fun person. If you’re having any hesitations about a private chef experience, just book her. It’s definitely worth it.

We were blown away by the dinner Chef Tanya presented. It was even better than I’d hoped. I loved that she brought her own twist to each dish, it made it all the more special. I would 100% recommend that others book her in the future, truly a one of a kind experience and incredibly delicious food!