I had heard of Chef Zach Engel long before we ever met — his name and food seemed to travel through every circle that cared deeply about creativity and craft.
The first time I saw him in motion was at Galit, during a Together Hospitality gathering where The Evolved Network had been invited as their social partner. As I was leaving, I caught a glimpse of him moving through the kitchen — quiet, focused, fully absorbed in his work. It was one of those rare moments that stays with you, when you witness someone completely at home in their element.
Not long after, I ran into him at Green City Market. He greeted me by name. I remember walking away thinking, “That’s wild — he knows who I am.” That small, human exchange said everything about the kind of person Chef Zach is — humble, grounded, and genuinely connected to his community.

As 2024 came to a close, I began imagining collaborations that could stretch and inspire me. Chef Zach’s name was at the top of that list. His team’s dishes kept finding their way to my feed — each one a study in balance, precision, and soul. I knew right away this partnership would be something special — not only for the artistry but for the chance to explore a cuisine I hadn’t yet had the opportunity to cook alongside.

When Chef Zach offered to host this dinner — opening his team, time, and Café Yaya’s new event space to support The Evolved Network — I felt deeply honored. His generosity and care embody the very spirit we strive to nurture: hospitality, curiosity, and belonging.

Chef Zach’s success is no accident. It’s the result of discipline, creativity, and heart. To share a kitchen with him and his team while furthering The Evolved Network’s mission — to create spaces of connection and healing through food — is a profound privilege.

Thank you, Chef Zach, for welcoming us to your table, for celebrating the season with us, and for reminding us that every meal shared in community is its own small act of light.