Chef Sebastian White and Chef Carrie Nahabedian join NBC 5 Chicago to share more about The Evolved Network’s work with young people through food, growing, and connection to the land. They also preview TEN & Friends at Brindille, bringing together five Chicago chefs for a dinner in support of TEN’s work in schools.

The holiday season brings with it recipes of signiture dishes - staples that also facilitate convening with loved ones.This month, chef Sebastian White delivered over two dozen fresh food prep kits to students at the Chicago Jesuit Academy, allowing them to whip up roasted butternut squash with maple brown butter and crispy kale chips. White walks them through the seasonal recipe on a Youtube video filmed in his kitchen. This home cooking experience is known as Project T.E.N. (Together. Evolving. Nourishing.), an endeavor of The Evolved Network, also known as TEN.

James Beard Award–winning Chef Zach Engel joined Chef Sebastian White of The Evolved Network on WGN’s Midday News Lunchbreak to preview their collaborative, seasonally inspired menu for Many Lights, One Table. Together, they prepared Coconut Cornbread with Seared Scallops and Chanterelles with Chili Oil over hummus — dishes that reflect the warmth, generosity, and shared creativity at the heart of this December dinner.

The segment highlighted how this collaboration brings two chefs together in the spirit of the season, offering a meal rooted in connection and crafted to support The Evolved Network’s mission of nurturing belonging and possibility through food. Check the WGN website for the full recipe.

Sebastian White doesn't just cook, he creates space. Space for young people to breathe, to wonder, to try, to fail, to rise, and to feel wholly seen. His organization, The Evolved Network, was born from the deep influence of his Aunt and his Father, two forces who helped shape his belief that every child deserves to be witnessed rather than "managed". Through that lens, he built a program that treats food not as a task, bus as a bridge - one that connects kids from challenged communities to their own potential, power, and creativity...

Fox 32 Chicago with Anthony Ponce & Natalie Bomke
Chef Sebastian White, Founder and Executive Director of The Evolved Network, joined Fox 32 Chicago hosts Anthony Ponce and Natalie Bomke to share the heart behind Eat & Evolve 2025 — The Evolved Network’s annual fundraising dinner uniting Chicago’s top chefs in celebration of food as care, creativity, and community. The segment highlighted TEN’s mission to walk alongside youth through culinary and gardening experiences that nurture belonging, growth, and transformation.

WGN Lunchbreak by Kristina Miller
Chef Sebastian White, Founder and Executive Director of The Evolved Network, returned to WGN’s Lunchbreak to share his recipe for Duck Fat Turnips with Wonton, Duck Remoulade, and Black Bean–Vanilla Purée — a dish that layers texture, richness, and care. The segment highlighted Eat & Evolve 2025, The Evolved Network’s annual fundraiser that brings together Chicago’s top chefs and community members to celebrate food as connection, creativity, and transformation.

We are thrilled to welcome Melissa Clark - Senior Vice President and CFO of Primera Engineers - as The Evolved Network's new Board President and Chair! From aspiring biomedical engineer to financial leader, Melissa's journey is truly inspiring. Recently named one of Chicago's Titan 100 for 2025, she brings exceptional leadership and vision.

We are excited for the future of The Evolved Network under her leadership!

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..

Sebastian joined WGN Lunchbreak to share his recipe for duck tarts as well as upcoming fundraiser Eat & Evolve! Click below to watch and follow along using his recipe provided in the article.

Sebastian White, founder of The Evolved Network, and Chef Sarah Stegner, share his mission to help kids from underserved communities unlock their potential through food-based therapy.

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.

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.”

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!