Kemp’s Neighborhood Sanctuary by Chef Max Chuvalas - DC Urban Oasis

DC Urban Oasis is proud to announce Kemp's Neighborhood Sanctuary, a multi-course dining concept by Chef Max Chuvalas celebrating American comfort food rooted in the Michiana region — northern Indiana and southwestern Michigan. Drawing from the foundational legacy of the Kemp family, each course honors heirloom recipes passed down by their great-grandmother, rooted in the family's pioneering electronics store and the cozy retreat of a Michiana lakehouse.

With refined technique and seasonal ingredients, Michelin-trained Chef Max elevates beloved comfort classics while paying tribute to the generations who passed them down — blending nostalgia and heritage into an invitation to rediscover the memories that live around the family table.

WHAT TO EXPECT

• Highly curated communal experience
• 7-dish, multi-course meal with fellow food enthusiasts
• Chef and host narratives on history and technique
• Welcome beverage upon arrival
• Non-alcoholic beverages throughout
• Chef meet-and-greet with photo opportunity
• (Optional) Curated Cocktail & Wine Drink Package

ABOUT THE CHEF

Chef Max Chuvalas is a dynamic culinary artist with nearly two decades of experience, starting his journey in his home state of Indiana as a dishwasher before rising to Executive Chef in high-end kitchens. Over the years, Chef Max has worked under the mentorship of renowned chefs, including Edward Lee, Tristen Epps, Jeremy Ford, and Marcus Samuelsson, contributing to Michelin stars, Bib Gourmand awards, and numerous regional accolades.

Now serving as Executive Chef of SHIA by Edward Lee, where he is advancing restaurant sustainability research while championing innovation and cultural storytelling within modern Korean fine dining, Chef Max previously spent years reimagining the harmonious fusion of African and Latin cuisine in restaurants across Miami and DC. Known for his precision and fearless approach to culinary innovation, Chef Max continues to push boundaries and craft bold dishes that defy the ordinary.

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Host or Publisher DC Urban Oasis