Our Team

Jessica Evans, owner of Fox Den Cooking School

Jess Evans, Owner & Chef

Owner and Chef of Foodie Fresh Meals, our local go-to company for all things healthy, prepared meals. Jess was raised in homes full of Mexican flavors from her Grandmother’s cooking and Gourmet Magazine-inspired dinner parties at her Father’s house. It’s no wonder she got into creating and owning a food business of her own. She is taking all she has learned and pouring herself into a new venture. She is so excited to take her teaching degree and passion for cooking and begin cooking classes for all ages. Whether it be weekly meal prep, cooking with kids, Date Night or a Ladies Night with ALL the wine, you’ll be able to spend some quality time with loved ones while learning some great tips and tricks.

Kayli Uchima, Chef

Kayli received their BAS in Culinary Arts from Robert Morris University, working in various restaurant kitchens in the Chicago suburbs before discovering a love of teaching at Sur la Table in 2015. Frequently drawing inspiration from their grandparents’ hometown of Honolulu, Kayli enjoys crafting fusion flavors with influences from all around the globe.

A childhood immersed in the world of homebrew, paired with a natural curiosity in the kitchen, has led Kayli to many experiments in fermentation and its culinary applications- from sourdoughs and ciders, to kombuchas and kimchis, and all things between! Kayli loves craft beer, dim sum, and road trips around the midwest to try new restaurants.

Kayli is a chef at Fox Den Cooking School

Dana Boswell, Chef

Dana graduated culinary school from ECC in 2012. From there she worked at several restaurants in the St. Charles/ Geneva area for a few years until she decided it wasn’t her thing. At age 21, Dana found her passion as a Professional Chef and wanted to go off and start her own business, but only part time as she began to dip her toes into the idea. Years into the making of her career, she has made this her dream job full time career, cooking for people on a weekly basis, as well as dinner parties on the weekends. In Dana’s spare time, she has taken on the chore of raising chickens, goats and pigs with her husband as well as growing a large garden to provide for themselves and their community.

Ashley Keller, Chef & Bartender

Ashley is the owner of Weathered Ways Farm and CeCe’s Honey Bees in Geneva, IL.

In 2020, she wrote CeCe Saves The Planet, which teaches children about sustainable farming practices.

Her hobbies include reading, eating at as many local restaurants as she can find, and slinging drinks behind the bar at Fox Den Cooking School!

Carla Wills, Chef

Chef Carla received her Culinary Arts degree from the Cooking & Hospitality Institute Chicago back in 2008 but her cooking journey didn’t start there. She has been cooking for her large Italian family since she was 14 years old. Cooking has always been a part of her life and she has a passion and love for food that runs very deep. Carla currently runs a YouTube channel where she showcases and demos recipes from her own home called Carla Cooks. In her her spare time, she loves to try new foods and restaurants with her family as well as travel and gardening.

Mary Zupke, Chef

Mary is a registered dietician and mother. With her many years of experience as a dietician, mom and teacher of simple cooking techniques, she has been able to bring her love of food together with healthy eating. Mary is excited to help people learn how easy it is to cook delicious and healthy dishes all at the same time.

You can also find Mary at The Garden Plate.