Meet Our Chefs
Megan Shafer
Toast & Table's In House Chef
Meet Chef Megan Shafer
Megan's culinary journey began in Europe, where she cultivated her passion for cooking and gastronomy over seven years of extensive travel. Inspired by her experiences, she began recreating her favorite dishes for her family. Formalizing her education at the University of Alaska, Anchorage in the Culinary Arts department marked a pivotal moment in her career. During her studies, Megan made significant contributions to gourmet dining by standardizing fine dining menus at Lucy’s. Recognized for her talent, she earned a coveted spot to complete her culinary capstone at the prestigious Apicius School of Hospitality in Florence, Italy, graduating with honors.
Following graduation, Megan interned at the Anchorage Alaska Dena’ina Center, a prominent civic and convention hall spanning 200,000 square feet. There, she refined her skills in fine dining while contributing to large-scale events such as the Iditarod Draw banquet, serving 1500 guests. Working alongside industry leaders, Megan honed her expertise in catering and event execution. With a wealth of experience under her belt, Megan founded her own culinary company, catering for esteemed clients including the Anchorage Alaska Zoo and Mayor Dan Sullivan’s campaign events. Her reputation as a sought-after chef for special occasions flourished.
Now boasting 20 years in the culinary industry, Megan brings her expertise to Toast and Table as head chef. She passionately curates fine dining menus and leads hands-on cooking experiences, inviting others to master the art of gourmet cuisine.
Loretta Evans
Toast & Table Guest Chef
Meet Chef Loretta Evans
Born and raised in Illinois, Chef Loretta Evans brings over 37 years of experience in the food industry to the table. Having worked with a variety of food companies, she has honed her culinary skills and developed a deep understanding of what it takes to create delicious and approachable dishes. For the past 23 years, Loretta has been sharing her passion for cooking with the public by teaching a wide range of cooking classes, helping countless home cooks gain confidence in the kitchen.
As an expert in baking, Loretta specializes in making baking accessible, fun, and achievable for everyone, regardless of skill level. Her classes are designed to simplify techniques, demystify recipes, and inspire creativity, showing participants how to create bakery-quality treats in their own kitchens. Chef Loretta’s warm and encouraging teaching style has made her a favorite among aspiring bakers, and she loves nothing more than sharing her expertise to help others fall in love with the art of baking.
TJ Herring
Toast & Table Guest Chef
Meet Chef Terrall “TJ” Herring
Chef Terrall “TJ” Herring is a retired Army veteran who has transformed his lifelong passion for cooking into a rewarding career. Classically trained in French culinary techniques at Le Cordon Bleu, TJ combines his formal education with years of hands-on experience to bring exceptional flavors and techniques to the table. His culinary journey began at the age of 9, helping his parents in the kitchen, and by 13, he had mastered the art of BBQ. Cooking has always been more than just a skill for TJ—it’s a source of peace and creativity.
After completing culinary school, TJ honed his craft working the line at the Racquet Club in Ladue before moving to Old Hickory Country Club, where he specialized in creating dishes for large-scale events. Eager to expand his horizons, he launched his own catering company, which he successfully ran before transitioning to private chef work in 2022.
As a private chef, TJ thrives on the opportunity to deliver personalized culinary experiences, sharing his love for food with others. His rich background, from BBQ to French cuisine and everything in between, makes him a versatile and passionate chef who is excited to bring his expertise to every meal he creates.