About Lee
Born in Lake County, Illinois, Chef Lee Kuebler developed a passion for cooking and gardening by watching, helping, and learning alongside his mother. After high school, Chef Lee completed the professional gardener program at Chicago Botanic Garden. From there, he became a flower grower at Leider Greenhouses and managed their flower farm in Central Illinois. After a few years in the field, he attended Kendall College in Chicago to study culinary arts. Chef Lee worked in Chicago alongside renowned chefs such as Michael Garbin, Carlos Gaytan, Michael Kornick, and Michael Lachowicz.
Using what he learned in the Chicago culinary scene, Chef Lee founded Milwalky Trace, Milwalky Taco, and Oscar Lee’s BBQ in Libertyville. Chef Lee was the owner and operator of these restaurants for a decade, before deciding to expand his horizons. Combining his passion for gardening and food made him a perfect fit as Resident Chef at Elawa Farm Foundation. His goal is to transform this beautiful farm into a farm-to-table dining destination in the Midwest.
Favorite produce from the garden: Tomatoes
Favorite flower found at Elawa Farm: Snap Dragons