Our Team
Our Story
Cooking With Cuellar was born in December 2020 at the height of a pivotal moment for the hospitality industry. As restaurants across Chicago closed and opportunities became uncertain, Chef Christopher Cuellar saw a different path forward—one that brought the restaurant experience directly into people’s homes. What began as a single dinner for a close friend quickly sparked something much greater. That one experience ignited a passion for creating intimate, elevated dining moments in personal spaces—laying the foundation for what would become a rapidly growing culinary brand. Since its founding, Cooking With Cuellar became known for delivering thoughtful, chef-driven experiences tailored to each client. From intimate dinners to larger gatherings, the focus was always the same: exceptional food, seamless service, and genuine hospitality. As demand grew and the vision expanded, so did the company.
What started as a personal chef service evolved into a full-scale catering and event experience company—leading to the rebranding of Cooking With Cuellar into Elite Events Chicago. This evolution marked more than just a name change. It represented a commitment to a higher level of execution, refined systems, and the ability to produce larger, more complex events while maintaining the personalized, hands-on approach that defined the brand from the beginning. Today, Elite Events Chicago offers a full spectrum of services—from in-home dining experiences to large-scale weddings and corporate events—while continuing to prioritize intentional design, cultural depth, and elevated hospitality at an approachable cost.
Director of Operations
I’m Christopher Cuellar, founder and the former executive chef of Elite Events Chicago. I was raised in the Chicago suburb of La Grange and began my professional career in sales, where I spent over a decade learning how to build relationships and truly understand client needs.
Over time, I felt a strong pull toward something more creative—something rooted in connection, hospitality, and experience. That led me to pursue formal culinary training through Café Liberty in Wheaton, Illinois, where I completed an intensive 240-hour program focused on career placement in the culinary field. From there, I refined my skills at Lockwood Restaurant, located within the historic Palmer House in downtown Chicago. I actually worked my way through many restaurants to refine my craft and further my dreams of becoming a business owner.
In 2020, during a time when the hospitality industry was facing significant challenges, I made the decision to build something of my own—centered around bringing elevated, restaurant-quality dining directly to clients. What started as Cooking With Cuellar has since grown and evolved into Elite Events Chicago.
Today, I lead our team with a simple but unwavering philosophy: create meaningful experiences through food, execute with precision, and ensure every client feels genuinely cared for throughout the entire process.
Director of Sales and Marketing
Hi, I’m Hannah Mitre. As Director of Sales and Marketing at Elite Events Chicago, I lead our client experience from the very first inquiry through booking—ensuring every interaction feels thoughtful, clear, and aligned with the vision our clients have for their event. I’m a hopeless romantic at heart, which is what first drew me into the event industry.
With over four years of experience in the wedding industry, I’ve worked closely with a wide range of clients, helping transform initial ideas into structured, elevated experiences. I take a consultative approach to every conversation—guiding clients through decisions, simplifying the planning process, and helping them feel confident every step of the way.
I’m deeply passionate about creating experiences that feel both seamless and meaningful. My role is not only to help bring a vision to life, but to ensure it’s executed with intention, care, and a level of detail that reflects the importance of the occasion.
Becoming a mother has further shaped how I approach my work—reinforcing my appreciation for life’s most meaningful moments and the small details that make them truly unforgettable.
Event Director
Katelyn Biancardi serves as our Event Director, bringing a service-first perspective and over a decade of experience managing restaurants throughout the city of Chicago. Her background is rooted in high-level hospitality, operational precision, and delivering exceptional client experiences at scale.
In addition to her work with Elite Events Chicago, Katelyn is a full-time Client Event Specialist for one of the largest law firms in the world—further strengthening her expertise in managing complex events with professionalism, discretion, and attention to detail.
She has worked closely with our team since 2022 and has been an integral part of our growth and success. Her leadership in executing large-scale, high-touch events reflects a deep understanding of both service and logistics, ensuring every experience is delivered seamlessly from start to finish.
Beverage Director
With over 15 years of experience in the hospitality and beverage industry, Michael Caraballo leads Elite Events Chicago's bar program with a passion for exceptional service, refined cocktail craftsmanship, and elevated guest experiences.
For the past five years, Michael has served as a lead bartender at Trump International Hotel & Tower Chicago, where he has honed his expertise in luxury hospitality while providing world-class service to discerning clientele. Prior to his tenure at Trump Tower, he built an extensive background working in a variety of high-end cocktail bars and upscale hospitality venues throughout the Chicagoland area, developing a deep understanding of classic techniques, modern mixology, and premium spirits.
As the Beverage Director, Michael oversees the development of Elite Events Chicago's custom beverage program, working closely with clients to create thoughtfully curated bar experiences that complement each event's style and vision. His specialty lies in designing signature cocktails, crafting personalized beverage menus, and guiding couples, corporate clients, and private hosts through the selection of cocktails that create memorable guest experiences.
Whether developing an elegant craft cocktail menu for a luxury wedding, creating a themed beverage program for a corporate gala, or designing an approachable cocktail list for an intimate celebration, Michael combines technical expertise with a hospitality-first approach. His attention to detail, creativity, and commitment to service ensure that every bar program is as memorable as the event itself.
Michael's leadership reflects Elite Events Chicago's commitment to delivering sophisticated, seamless, and unforgettable hospitality from the first consultation to the final toast.
Executive Chef
My name is Alexander Zentner and I’m now Elite Events Chicago’s new Executive Chef.
I was born and raised right here in Chicago and my culinary journey began long before I ever stepped into a professional kitchen. I spent a decade of my childhood in Georgia, where my love for food deepened, before returning to Chicago at the age of 12. The kitchen was always the heart of my home—whether I was cooking alongside my mom and my Oma, both incredible cooks who taught me the value of tradition and flavor, or watching my dad at the grill and smoker, where his passion sparked my fascination with fire, technique, and bold flavors.
I went on to refine my skills at Kendall College Culinary School, where I built a strong foundation in classical techniques and modern cuisine. From there, I gained experience working in Michelin-starred kitchens as well as large-scale catering operations, learning the precision, discipline, and creativity required to execute at the highest level in a variety of environments.
At the core of my work is a simple belief: food is more than just nourishment—it’s an experience. It brings people together, tells stories, and creates lasting memories. I’m dedicated to crafting dishes that not only taste exceptional but also foster connection, celebrate culture, and inspire creativity at every table.
Chef de Cuisine
Arturo Cervantes joins Elite Events Chicago as our Chef de Cuisine, bringing experience from some of Chicago's most respected kitchens, including Adelina, Ever, Kindling, and Seville at the Hilton. Throughout his career, Arturo has built a reputation for technical precision, calm leadership, and the ability to execute exceptional food at every level of service—from fine dining to large-scale catered events.
Arturo's passion for cooking began early, earning recognition through competitive culinary programs where he won regional and state championships before finishing as a national runner-up. That competitive foundation continues to shape his disciplined approach to quality, organization, and continuous improvement.
Beyond his culinary abilities, Arturo is a dedicated mentor who believes great kitchens are built by developing great people. He has successfully trained and led teams of inexperienced cooks, focusing on strong fundamentals, knife skills, proper technique, and professional standards. His patient leadership style and commitment to teaching align perfectly with Elite Events Chicago's culture of growth, collaboration, and excellence.
Arturo also brings extensive high-volume catering experience, having successfully executed complex events serving hundreds of guests with lean production teams while maintaining the standards expected from fine dining. His ability to balance creativity with flawless execution makes him an invaluable leader both in production and on-site event operations.
As Chef de Cuisine, Arturo works alongside our Executive Chef to oversee culinary execution, menu development, kitchen operations, staff training, and event production. His passion for culturally inspired cuisine, commitment to mentorship, and unwavering attention to detail help ensure every Elite Events Chicago experience exceeds our clients' expectations.
Service Captain
