Chicago’s Premier Wedding Caterer

Welcoming our next chapter.

When Cooking With Cuellar was first founded, the intention was never to become a full-service event catering company—but four years later, through passion, persistence, and the demand of our loyal clientele, that’s exactly what we’ve become.

Rebranding an already successful company is no small task. However, as both arms of the business evolved to serve different needs—Cooking With Cuellar focusing on intimate, chef-driven experiences and Elite Events Chicago emerging as a powerhouse in large-scale event catering—this distinction became not only necessary but strategic.

In 2024, Cooking With Cuellar received several notable accolades that have helped further establish our brand’s credibility and momentum. We were honored to be named one of Zola’s Best Wedding Vendors for the second consecutive year. Additionally, Chef Christopher Cuellar was featured in the 2024 Chicago Reader Magazine “Best of Chicago” issue, as one of the Up-and-Coming Chefs in Chicago. A recognition that further affirms our team’s talent, innovation, and commitment to excellence.

With great excitement and pride, we now introduce Elite Events Chicago—a dynamic, full-service catering company serving clients throughout the Chicagoland area and across the tri-state region. Elite Events offers comprehensive event solutions including customizable menus, curated rentals, and experienced service teams for weddings, corporate functions, social gatherings, and more.

We understand that planning a wedding or major celebration can feel overwhelming without the right support. That’s why our mission is simple: to bring your vision to life with clarity, creativity, and care. From the initial consultation to the final toast, our dedicated event planners are with you every step of the way, offering thoughtful, cost-effective guidance and ensuring flawless execution.

On your event day, you can take comfort in knowing that you’ve entrusted your celebration to a team of professionals who lead with precision—and serve with heart.

“The Cooking with Cuellar team catered my wedding in October 2022 and it was incredible! Every time we’ve talked to a guest about how they enjoyed the event, they all have endless compliments about the food. Not only did they serve an amazing meal, planning and working with them was so easy, helpful, and fun. They thought everything through so thoroughly and executed it all perfectly. We are so thankful for Chris, his team, and our delicious Italian meal!!!”

-Katie & Ethan

“We wanted a meal that was delicious and customizable and unlike most other wedding meals, and Cooking With Cuellar delivered! We had the most incredible build-your-own taco/nacho/fajita bar with Chris's signature Puerto Rican flair. Also, we do not live in Chicago, but they worked with our schedule to host us for tastings, often last minute. Not only that, but the entire staff is SO kind and gracious and a delight just to talk to! We'd pick them again and again.”

-Hillary & Schuyler

“Chef Cuellar and his entire team are incredible. From the first call, it was obvious that he and his team cared about making our wedding the magical day we had always dreamed about. Even though we lived in Philadelphia and needed to come to a tasting on the weekend, they made it work with their schedule and completely blew us away with the menu they prepared based on our first few meetings. Incredibly professional but also warm, inviting, and easy to talk to and express ourselves around. When it came to the big day, he and his team were ready to go despite a few last-minute curveballs. Our guests thought the food was amazing and continued talking about it well after the wedding ended. We cannot recommend enough Chef Cuellar and his team for weddings. They are candid about what they can do and what it might take to make it happen!

-JK & Thomas

Where do I even begin?!?! We hired Cooking with Cuellar for our Wedding of about 90 people. From the moment we started discussing what we were looking for - their team was organized, asked great questions and knew how to understand our needs. They provided a few different menu options and all of them were incredible. We chose the Latin menu and worked together to optimize it for our needs and Chris brought such great ideas. We had some loved ones who were vegan and/or gluten free and Chris was on it and happy to find ways to accommodate these guests! On our wedding day - the team was there on time busting their butts to get everything beyond perfect for our day. We didn't have to worry about a thing the entire evening because everything was executed perfectly. Everyone RAVED about the food - which is what we wanted since we are foodies ourselves. It's pretty rare to have wedding dinners be memorable, but Cooking with Cuellar and the team made it memorable! Chris will be our forever chef and we are so grateful we hired him for our special day!

-Molly & Olindo

Aesthetics Are Key!

Elevated Aesthetics. Unforgettable Atmosphere.

At Cooking With Cuellar, we believe a truly memorable event begins with thoughtful design. Our team of professional tablescapers is dedicated to curating visually stunning guest experiences—ensuring that every element reflects your vision with elegance and precision.

We take immense pride in capturing the details that matter most to you. From place settings to florals, our stylists collaborate closely with you to craft an ambiance that feels personal, cohesive, and unforgettable. Our goal is simple: to exceed your expectations and leave you—and your guests—talking about the experience for years to come.We also maintain strong relationships with some of the most respected vendors in the wedding industry.

Whether you’re searching for a show-stopping balloon installation, a seasoned wedding planner, a top-tier photographer, or the perfect venue—we are here to connect you with professionals who share our standard of excellence.

Whatever stage of planning you’re in, you can feel confident knowing you’ve found a team that understands the full scope of your celebration. Serving clients throughout Chicago and the surrounding tri-state area, we specialize in seamlessly integrating your vision and delivering a level of service that feels both personalized and extraordinary.

It’s All About Your Day!

This team will take your vision, your vibes, and your interests to encapsulate the perfect reflection of what your love is. Every wedding is specially designed and every menu curated for each individual couple. This is an exciting time, and we feel honored to have you here and eager to be a part of your big day.

Down To The Finest Detail!

Let’s face it, planning a wedding can be expensive. We are here to offer a variety of price points and menus for you to choose from. Everything is completely customizable to your needs, from full service plated dinner to a drop off buffet. Your event coordinator will help you design a menu and a service plan that makes sense to you.