Evelyn’s Food Love is ACDBE/DBE/MBE/WBE certified
“I can’t wait for Chef Evelyn to open her new spot. This is a food experience like no other. She takes eating to a whole different level. She catered some appetizers for my family for Thanksgiving dinner one year and everybody went crazy….talk about doggy bags…and dinner hadn’t even begun!”
Chef Evelyn Shelton
Chef Evelyn Shelton, popularly known as Chef Evelyn, is the culinary leader and owner of Evelyn’s Food Love in Chicago.
Chef Evelyn honed her extensive business and culinary skills as an Executive Chef with the Morrison Division of Compass Group – the largest food service management company in the world.
She is a graduate of Kendall College, the premier culinary institute in the region, where she completed an accelerated culinary arts program while excelling in Kendall’s baking and pastry arts program simultaneously. Well-rounded, her academic background is further enhanced by a bachelor’s degree from Columbia College and a master’s degree from Roosevelt University. So impressed with their alum, Chef Evelyn received the “Social Justice Award” from Roosevelt in 2021 for her work in the community ... a nice companion piece to the NAACP ACT-SO award she received previously.
Chef Evelyn and her culinary creations have been featured on: ABC 7’s "The Hungry Hound with Steve Dolinsky," Windy City Live, The Black Foodies, Chicago Tonight on WTTW, in The Chicago Sun-Times, Patch Chicago, Black Chicago Eats, Eater Chicago, LISC Chicago, The Chicago Defender, Chicago Woman Magazine, Black Food and Beverage (blackfandb), on WVON Radio, WBBM Radio, WGN Radio, "Operation Breadbasket presents Harambee" Radio, Heritage Radio's "A Hungry Society," Crain’s Chicago Business, Forbes.com, Afros and Knives as well as by the Chicago Reader in “The Iconic Chicago Restaurants” issue. She has also been featured in James Beard Foundation’s Beard Bites.
Chef Evelyn is a widely sought after featured guest, contributor and panelist by media outlets and various community organizations offering insights on topics including minority businesses and the importance of community development, equity and inclusion.
Chef recently released her first book, Carving Out a Culinary Career: The Good, the Bad and the Not-so-bright Decisions Made on My Jagged Journey to Restaurant Ownership which details her experiences opening and operating a restaurant in Chicago. She is presently penning her inaugural cookbook while also working to bring her spices, sauces, and other fare to the marketplace.
In February 2019, Evelyn’s Food Love began operations in the West Hall Food Court at McCormick Place, the largest convention center in North America! The restaurant holds ACDBE/DBE/MBE/WBE certifications.
Plans are underway for construction of a new rooftop bar addition to her existing restaurant and scheduled to commence in 2026.
“Visited Evelyn’s many times and have never been disappointed! The wings! Fried lobster tails and the desserts!”