Meet Our Chefs

Megan Shafer

Toast & Table's Senior In-House Chef

Meet Chef Megan

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.

Jessica Mode

Toast & Table Guest Chef

Meet Chef Jessica

Jessica is a self-taught home cook turned culinary school graduate who’s passionate about making food from scratch—and teaching others how to do the same. After graduating from the Italian Culinary Institute, she’s spent years developing, testing, and perfecting recipes that help home cooks feel more confident in the kitchen.

Through her blog, Homebody Eats, Jessica breaks down tricky techniques, shares step-by-step guidance, and even dives into the science behind the recipes—all with a warm, approachable style. From sourdough bread to homemade pasta, she believes anyone can master impressive dishes with the right tools and a little know-how.

When she’s not in the kitchen, you’ll find her exploring new restaurants, going on long walks, or experimenting with her latest hobby: gardening.

Tyson Long

Toast & Table Guest Chef

Meet Chef Tyson

Chef Tyson Long is a Certified Executive Chef with over 15 years of professional kitchen experience — and an infectious enthusiasm for bringing great cooking into everyday homes. From his time as Executive Chef at the beloved farm-to-table restaurant Winslow's Home in St. Louis, to six years as Executive Chef and Partner at Sugarfire Smokehouse, Tyson has built a career rooted in quality, creativity, and a love of feeding people well.

These days, Tyson channels that passion into teaching. He currently instructs culinary arts at Mascoutah High School and runs his own meal prep business, Long Crafted — and he couldn't be more excited to bring that same energy to our teaching kitchen. His goal is simple: to help home cooks of every skill level feel confident, creative, and genuinely excited about what they're making.

We can't wait for you to cook with him!

Cooking Classes

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