IN THE NEWS
IN THE NEWS
The Evolved Network founder Sebastian White incorporates lessons from his youth to inspire the next generation of Black and Latine chefs.

More than 25 years ago, Sebastian White’s aunt, Gwendolyn Barjon — also his science teacher — asked her nephew to identify a famous Black inventor and improve the designs of their creation. White selected Garrett Morgan, the inventor behind the gas mask..
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Sebastian’s was honored to be a guest on David Manilow's The Dining Table podcast. The two talked about human relationship with food, food accessibility, and nurturing space the evolved network creates for Chicago kids. Discussed incredible Chicago chef community and Chicago food fall events, including our own upcoming Eat and Evolve 2024. The episode is live! Give it a listen.
Listen to the episode
APRIL 3, 2024 - FEEDING PEOPLE

Sebastian White: The Healing Power of Cooking

Feeding People by Amy Dolan
Sebastian White, private chef and Founder and Executive Director of The Evolved Network, joins Amy to discuss his journey from psychotherapist to chef to creator of The Evolved Network.
We are excited to announce The Evolved Network is part of the NBA Foundation and Chicago Beyond’s new responsive funding partnership! “It is impossible to put into words what it means to be truly seen for all we’re trying to accomplish for our kids here in Chicago,” said TEN Founder and Executive Director, Chef Sebastian White. “We just needed one funder to take the leap with us and we’re so honored that The NBA Foundation and Chicago Beyond had faith and trusted us with this responsibility.”
Learn more about us and other grantees
MARCH 1, 2024 - CBS

Therapist turned chef uses cooking as form of therapy for children

by: Jamaica Ponder
CHICAGO (CBS) For this Foodie Friday, a look at a nonprofit using cooking as a form of children's therapy.
The Evolved Network was started by one therapist-turned-chef on a mission to serve the city. He spends his time teaching little kids how to cook as a means of healing – gaining attention from schools around the city.
JANUARY 30, 2024 - INSIDEHOOK
20 Chefs to Watch in 2024, According to Some of the Biggest Names in the Industry
by: Amanda Gabriele
Chefs are by far some of the hardest working people on the planet. They log long, odd hours in hot kitchens to provide delicious food, oftentimes without thanks — and sometimes with nothing but complaints. But here’s the good news: it seems that in the last 15 years, people have been increasingly interested in what chefs do and how they do it.
Read on Insidehook
JULY 26, 2023 - ANDSCAPE
The Evolved Network works to expand how local children think about food
by: Nylah Burton
middle schoolers at Carter Woodson Elementary School in the Bronzeville neighborhood of Chicago have tasted anchovies before, but that’s not stopping them from trying. On the count of three, they all popped an oil-slicked anchovy fillet into their mouths.
Read on Andscape
JULY 24, 2023 - JUST ROOTS
Just Roots Farm To Table Dinner Series — Chef Sebastian White of The Evolved Network
Learn about Just Roots' Farm To Table Dinner series, where they collaborate with amazing chefs, like Sebastian White of The Evolved Network, to host community dinners at their urban farm on Chicago's south side.
MARCH 23, 2023 - WGN
The Evolved Network on Daytime Chicago, WGN
by: Tonya Francisco, Ji Suk Yi

The Evolved Network uses culinary and gardening programs to teach and inspire youth from at-risk communities. Here in our Studio 41 kitchen with more is founder Sebastian White.
Watch the interview on WGN TV
JANUARY 18, 2023 - NBC CHICAGO TODAY
The Evolved Network on NBC Chicago Today show
by: Emmy-nominated Matthew Rodrigues
NBC CHICAGO TODAY - We invited founder Sebastian White to tell us more about The Evolved Network and what the organization is trying to do with kids by way of cooking and farming.
APRIL 14, 2022 - GREATER THAN ZERO PERCENT
In this episode Greater Than Zero Percent's team does another check-in
with Sebastian White, Founder of The Evolved Network. The Evolved Network is a newer non-profit organization that has come a long way since we interviewed them in Episode 20 & 41 so we had to do a check-in!