Professional Chef
Chicago, IL
Chef Grace, a Food Network champion, brings Michelin-level expertise to intimate, in-home dining. After training at The Culinary Institute of America, Grace built her foundation under Chef Thomas Keller at both Ad Hoc and the three-Michelin-starred French Laundry. Grace is celebrated for refined, seasonal cooking rooted in Midwestern warmth, her culinary perspective is shaped by both her professional pedigree and her personal story. Raised as the youngest of five in a close-knit family, she learned early on that food is a language of connection. Her path began in hospitality—as a server, then as a journalism and food science student, and later at Walt Disney World, where she fell in love with crafting guest experiences. Her curiosity for global flavor traditions led her across Thailand, Sweden, and Italy, including teaching at a cooking school in Umbria, Italy and studying regional techniques that continue to influence her work. In 2020, Grace opened Scratchboard Kitchen, a farm-to-table restaurant in the Chicago suburbs that quickly earned acclaim for its thoughtful seasonal menus and community-driven ethos despite debuting during the pandemic. Grace’s talents have been recognized nationally as well—she is a winner of Food Network’s Chopped, has appeared on Beat Bobby Flay, and received a Best Chef award from the International Fresh Produce Association. Today, Grace works as a chef-entrepreneur, offering bespoke private-chef experiences, weekly meal prep for families, hands-on cooking classes, restaurant consulting, and recipe development for major food brands. Her philosophy—composed, but not complicated—brings world-class technique into warm, memorable, beautifully executed meals designed for any occasion.
my december menu highlights the best of the season with fresh, health-focused, farm-driven selections crafted for nourishing, effortless meals at home. all dishes celebrate winter produce and chef-curated flavors designed to make weeknight dining both wholesome and delicious. if you or your family have any allergies or dietary preferences, i am happy to accommodate — every menu can be customized to fit your needs. please note that certain items may shift slightly based on seasonal availability. your final menu will always be confirmed one week prior to delivery to ensure the highest quality ingredients.
chipotle-marinated flank steak served over cilantro rice with black beans, roasted corn, and salsa verde. finished with avocado crema.
chicken breast braised and shredded in buffalo sauce, served with ranch-yogurt drizzle, carrot & celery slaw, and oven-roasted sweet potatoes. (can also be served in lettuce wraps if buns aren’t preferred.)
teriyaki-glazed salmon served with vegetable fried rice and roasted broccoli.
juicy chicken meatballs seasoned with herbs, feta, and lemon. served with tzatziki, tomato-cucumber salad, and lemony orzo.
beef bolognese tossed with high-protein pasta and baked until bubbly. served with a classic caesar salad.
honey lacquered chicken thighs, served with garlic brown rice and roasted 'everything' delicata squash.
marinaded chicken breast sliced and served over turmeric rice, along side cucumber–tomato salad, olives, and garlic yogurt sauce.
salmon glazed with a maple and miso sauce, served with ginger & scallion noodles and roasted brussel sprouts tossed in a creamy srirracha sauce.
classic turkey meatloaf, paired with roasted garlic mashed potatoes and honey roasted carrots
ground beef bulgogi over jasmine rice and served with charred 'kimchi'.
sticky roasted chicken thighs with a maple and dijon glaze, served alongside charred brussels and brown butter sweet potato mash.
slow-braised pork shoulder with an apple relish, paired with fennel & arugula salad and a parsnip-potato mash.
warm-spiced lamb meatballs served with za'atar roasted honeynut squash and a lemony kale couscous.
hot honey glazed salmon with a roasted beet salad (beets, winter citrus, feta cheese) and wild rice pilaf.
taco meatballs, black beans, charred corn, pickled onions, cilantro-lime quinoa, avocado & pumpkin seed crema.
shrimp cooked in paprikash sauce served with egg noodles and cabbage.
short ribs slowly cooked in a red wine sauce. served over creamy polenta and accompanied by roasted mushrooms and carrots.
winter squash filled with a savory mix of italian chicken sausage, caramelized fennel, garlic, and kale, tossed together with creamy white beans and baked. served with a radicchio & pear salad with gorgonzola cheese & pistachios.
sliced skirt steak with chimichurri sauce; served with garlic rice and roasted root veggies.
a lighter, healthier take on enchiladas — tender chicken wrapped in soft tortillas and baked in a vibrant salsa verde. served with a citrus cabbage slaw.
an example of a high-protein (30 grams per meal, per portion) menu focusing on seasonal vegetarian dishes for lunch and dinner.
roasted acorn squash filled with a warm cranberry–pecan quinoa blend, enriched with sautéed tempeh for added heartiness. finished with a creamy greek-yogurt lemon drizzle to elevate both protein and brightness. served with a simple arugula salad. approx. protein: 30–34g
a velvety cauliflower soup simmered with tofu and nutritional yeast to elevate the protein content. blended smooth with turmeric and yellow curry, it’s warming, aromatic, and deeply nourishing. approx. protein: 30–32g per serving
green lentils, cucumber, tomato, olives, feta, herbs, and lemon–tahini dressing. protein: ~30–33g
crispy tofu tossed with romaine, parmesan, shaved fennel, and a creamy greek-yogurt caesar dressing, all wrapped in a high-protein whole-grain wrap. approx. protein: 32–36g
cauliflower steak, black beans, charred corn, pickled onions, cilantro-lime quinoa, avocado & pumpkin seed crema. protein: 30–32g
protein-enriched pasta tossed in a homemade romesco sauce with sautéed plant-based italian sausage, served alongside a tuscan kale salad with parmesan, sun dried tomato, fennel, toasted pine nuts, and a bright, zesty italian vinaigrette. protein: 35g per serving
marinated and seared halloumi over turmeric rice with cucumber–tomato salad, olives, and garlic yogurt sauce. includes added chickpeas for balanced protein. approx. protein: 30g
tofu glazed with maple and miso, served with ginger–scallion soba noodles and roasted brussels sprouts tossed in a sriracha vinaigrette. approx. protein: 35 g
a vegetarian roasted loaf made with lentils, bulgar and beets, paired with roasted garlic mashed potatoes and honey roasted carrots. approx. protein: 30g
crispy bulgogi-marinated tofu over jasmine rice with edamame and charred kimchi-style vegetables. approx. protein: 34 g
a thoughtfully composed, seasonal family-style menu for an intimate holiday celebration with friends.
house-made focaccia bread served with whipped anchovy butter and marinated olives.
winter chicories dressed in a smoked honey vinaigrette, topped with gorgonzola dolce, crispy prosciutto, and garlic bread crumbs.
a seasonal roasted fish served over whipped feta and topped with a citrus and fennel salad, finished with a caper gremolata sauce.
red wine braised short rib served on top of a miso carrot puree and topped with preserved lemon & calabrian chili.
winter squash roasted with parmesan cheese until caramelized and tossed in a warm brown butter vinaigrette.
caramelized cauliflower topped with crushed pistachios, dates, charred scallions and lemon.
a stuffed pasta filled with black pepper and pecorino cheese.
olive oil cake served with a warm apple compote & whipped vanilla mascarpone.
harissa and orange glazed salmon served with herbed wild rice, honey glazed carrots & peas.
greek marinaded chicken thighs with a sun-dried tomato & olive orzo and a greek salad with tzatziki dressing.
calabrian pork & beef meatballs simmered in a creamy tomato sauce enriched with cottage cheese for added protein, tossed with protein pasta and finished with parmesan cheese. served with balsamic glazed brussel sprouts.
korean bbq glazed chicken over jasmine rice & edamame, with gochujang roasted butternut squash.
slow braised chicken in salsa verde with cilantro & lime brown rice, pickled onions, romaine lettuce, cauliflower (tossed in a pumpkin seed crema) and a chipotle pepper vinaigrette.
beautifully seared scallops served over a winter citrus beurre blanc, finished with a fresh fennel salad and toasted pistachios. available as an appetizer or entrée.
a celebration of the season—crisp sourdough layered with silky whipped ricotta and ripe figs, finished simply to let the ingredients shine.
a rich, creamy risotto finished with aromatic truffle.
a homemade twist on a classic toaster treat—tender pastry filled with seasonal fruit and drizzled with a flavorful icing.
a midwestern spin on a classic: deviled eggs whipped with local smoked trout, topped with smoked trout roe, paprika, and fresh dill.
teriyaki-marinated salmon, broiled until caramelized, served over a bed of vegetable fried rice with miso-roasted broccoli. designed exclusively for meal prep delivery.
grace offers personalized in-home private dinners that feel both special and effortless. she works closely with you to design a menu that reflects your favorite flavors, dietary needs, and the style of evening you envision. using fresh, seasonal ingredients and refined technique, grace transforms your home into a warm, welcoming dining space—creating an intimate, chef-prepared experience perfect for celebrations, date nights, or gatherings with loved ones.
chef grace will print the menus for the evening based on the aesthetic of the event and preferences of the guest.
chef grace offers engaging, technique-driven cooking classes designed for cooks of all levels. her teaching experience ranges from intimate in-home classes and private group sessions to large hands-on workshops for corporate companies. grace has also led high-energy cooking demonstrations for sizable audiences, bringing her restaurant expertise to the stage with confidence and approachability. each class is tailored to the group, combining chef-level skill with clear, accessible instruction to create a fun, memorable culinary experience.
do you find yourself overwhelmed at the grocery store—or unsure how to translate what you buy into confident cooking at home? chef grace offers a comprehensive, hands-on culinary learning experience that begins at the market and continues in your kitchen. her combined service teaches you how to shop, cook, and think like a chef—from selecting the best seasonal ingredients to turning them into beautiful, approachable dishes. whether you're looking to build foundational skills, explore a new cuisine, or gain confidence in the grocery aisles, grace brings warmth, expertise, and restaurant-level technique to empower you at every step.
chef grace offers weekly healthy meal prep designed to bring fresh, seasonal, farm-to-table cooking into your home. each menu is thoughtfully crafted around locally sourced produce, high-quality proteins, and wholesome ingredients—prioritizing flavor, balance, and nourishment. grace handles everything from menu planning and shopping to cooking and packaging, ensuring your refrigerator is stocked with beautifully prepared meals that support your lifestyle. whether you’re looking to simplify busy weeks, eat more seasonally, accommodate dietary needs, or enjoy chef-crafted meals without the stress of daily cooking, grace’s farm-forward approach delivers convenience without sacrificing quality. every dish reflects her signature philosophy: composed, not complicated—healthy meals made with exceptional ingredients and professional care.
chef-crafted grazing, gracefully done grazefull is chef grace carnovale’s modern grazing concept, offering curated boards and bespoke table spreads built around seasonal abundance and the beauty of locally sourced ingredients. each board is thoughtfully composed , designed to elevate any gathering with chef-level craftsmanship and a sense of graceful hospitality. from classic charcuterie selections to brunch boards delivered to your doorstep, to immersive grazing tables layered with handmade dips, artisanal breads, farm-fresh produce, and premium cheeses, grazefull brings intentional, elevated grazing to any occasion. every element is chosen with care: small-batch charcuterie, hand-selected cheeses, vibrant fruits and vegetables at peak season, house-made accompaniments, and midwest-driven provisions that celebrate the land and the makers behind it. available as delivery-ready boards or on-site bespoke table installations, grazefull makes entertaining feel luxurious and seamless — whether it’s a cozy morning brunch, a family celebration, a holiday gathering, or a big-game spread designed to wow. beautifully composed. seasonally inspired. abundantly crafted. this is grazing, made graceful.
celebrate the season with a hand-crafted holiday charcuterie board filled with premium meats, cheeses, fresh winter fruit, and gourmet snacks. perfect for cozy nights in, holiday parties, or gifting. arrives fully assembled and table-ready.