CEO, Founder

Corporate Executive Chef

Chef Austin Yancey grew up in South Carolina where he first discovered a passion for cooking in his grandmother’s kitchen. Working in restaurants throughout high school, he fell in love with the industry and decided to move to Chicago and pursue a career in culinary arts. Chef Austin spent years training as a competitive cook while also working in various kitchens before landing his dream job at world renowned Alinea, a 3-Star Michelin restaurant in Chicago. After leaving Alinea, Chef Austin joined the Culinary Instructor team at Le Cordon Bleu and created the schools first competition cooking club. Now as the CEO and Founder of EPC, he is on a mission to teach hospitality professionals how to create long term success; independently.

Co-CEO, Co-Founder

Corporate Beverage Director

Jean Tomaro is passionate & knowledgeable on all beverages – from wine to cocktails to coffee, all libations fall under her professional umbrella. She is a Certified Sommelier and Corporate Beverage Consultant for wine & beer programs, cocktail menus, coffee shops, beverage education & bar design. Her approach to hospitality is focused on knowledge and sincerity with a fun, welcoming style. She strongly believes that beverage programs should be exciting, approachable, quality driven & profitable. Jean began her professional career under the tutelage of Master Sommelier Doug Marello and Sue Kim-Drohomyrecky of Spring Restaurant. She went on to become an Assistant Sommelier at the 3 Michelin star restaurant L2O and currently serves as the Senior Executive Beverage Director of Hogsalt - a hospitality brand with unique concepts in Chicago, New York, Las Vegas & Paris. She has been working in hospitality & restaurants for 20 years.

COO, Co-Founder

Lead Graphic Designer

Lee has over 25 years of experience in marketing, graphic design and global brand management with technology-forward organizations such as Motorola, Argonne National Laboratory and Thermo Fisher Scientific. His life-long passion for food eventually led him to study culinary arts at Le Cordon Bleu – Chicago, where he first met Chef Austin Yancey. The two formed a lasting friendship and have worked together in numerous capacities ever since. Lee currently serves as the COO for Elite Personal Chefs, where his corporate experience and culinary industry knowledge make him uniquely qualified to help lead EPC.