Our Team
Jess Evans, Owner & Chef
With a degree in Elementary Education, Jess began her career teaching second grade before following her entrepreneurial spirit into the culinary world. While her classroom looks a little different these days, her love of teaching remains at the heart of everything she does. Over the past four years, she has personally taught more than 4,000 students through cooking classes, private events, team-building experiences, kids’ camps, date nights, and specialty workshops.
Jess’s love of food began long before Fox Den. Growing up, she was inspired by the vibrant Mexican dishes prepared by her grandmother and the gourmet dinner parties hosted by her father. Those early experiences taught her that food is more than nourishment—it is connection, celebration, creativity, and tradition.
Jess’s work has been featured on Good Day Rockford as a destination-worthy experience for visitors, as well as through local podcasts and community media features highlighting her unique approach to culinary education.
When she’s not teaching in the kitchen, Jess is a wife and proud mom of three children. Much of what she loves most about Fox Den comes from creating the same sense of connection and togetherness around food that has always been central to her own family.
Whether you’re joining a public class, celebrating a special occasion, or trying something new for the first time, Jess looks forward to welcoming you to the Fox Den table.Today, Fox Den Cooking reflects that philosophy. Jess believes cooking should be approachable, fun, and confidence-building, whether someone is learning to make fresh pasta from scratch, exploring global flavors, or simply looking for a memorable night out with family and friends. Her classes are designed to make guests feel welcome, regardless of experience level, while providing practical skills they can take home and use for years to come.
Jess’s work has been featured on Good Day Rockford as a destination-worthy experience for visitors, as well as through local podcasts and community media features highlighting her unique approach to culinary education.
When she’s not teaching in the kitchen, Jess is a wife and proud mom of three children. Much of what she loves most about Fox Den comes from creating the same sense of connection and togetherness around food that has always been central to her own family.
Whether you’re joining a public class, celebrating a special occasion, or trying something new for the first time, Jess looks forward to welcoming you to the Fox Den table.
Kayli Uchima, Chef
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.
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!
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.
Ashley Valinskas, Chef
Ditha Potter, Chef
Ditha is passionate about bringing people together through food, creating hands-on classes and shared experiences that celebrate culture, connection, and creativity. Outside of the kitchen, she enjoys developing new concepts,
exploring local food spots, and curating gatherings that blend food, wellness, and community.
Megan Merrithey, Chef
Megan is a self-taught baker and chef. Currently a science teacher, Megan loves to teach kids about cooking and baking.
Christina Moses, Baker
Christina is the founder of Kneaded by Christina, a licensed sourdough cottage bakery in Elgin where she bakes small-batch sourdough, teaches hands-on classes, and writes about the craft she taught herself from scratch. What began as baking bread for her family has grown into hundreds of loaves and sourdough goodies a week, a loyal following of fellow bread lovers, and her book, The Sunday Loaf: A Sourdough Journal, built around her “Sunday Countdown” method for fitting sourdough into real life.
When she’s not elbow-deep in dough, you’ll find Christina leading her HR team, coaching softball, cheering on her kids at their sports, and spending time with her family.
