About Jackie

Some people are born to take; others are born to give. Chef Jackie Shen has spent her life proving she was born for the latter. Known for her extraordinary culinary talent, pioneering vision, and unstoppable energy, Jackie has consistently used her gifts to enrich the communities she calls home—first in Chicago, and now in New Buffalo, Michigan.

Shen arrived in the United States from her native Hong Kong at just 17 years old with a single attitude: “can do.” A graduate of the University of Houston’s Hilton College of Hotel and Restaurant Management, she launched her American career running Uncle Pete’s—her first entrepreneurial venture—working as the cook, server, and dishwasher all at once. But her creativity was destined for a bigger stage.

Determined to grow, she apprenticed under legendary chef Jean Banchet and quickly earned a reputation as a standout talent. In 1982, she achieved her dream of opening her own elegant restaurant, Jackie’s, in Chicago’s Lincoln Park. For more than a decade, she rose before dawn, worked impossibly long hours, and became a quiet powerhouse in the city’s culinary scene.
Her accomplishments soon captured national attention. Shen has been featured in the PBS series Great Chefs of Chicago, profiled in The Washington Post and The New York Times, and honored with numerous awards, including:

• Crain’s Chicago Business “40 Under 40”

• 1994 Bread and Roses Individual Advocacy Award

• Chicagoan of the Year

• DiRoNa Award

• Nation’s Restaurant News Hall of Fame (1989)

• FoundAsian Award from the Mayor’s Office (2001)

But beyond the acclaim, Jackie Shen is known—above all—for giving back.

A Legacy of Community Leadership

Throughout her Chicago career, Shen organized, inspired, and rallied chefs across the city to support those in need. Her philanthropic efforts include:

• Leading a team of chefs to prepare the 100th and 101st Anniversary Lunches for La Rabida Children’s Hospital, raising $1 million.

• Supporting Rainbow House, a shelter for women and children facing domestic violence, generating $300,000 alongside seven women chefs over seven years.

• Organizing the Downstate Illinois Food Relief Fund (1993) in partnership with state and city agencies, raising over $100,000 for flood victims.

• Bringing together more than ninety five chefs for “Chicago Chefs United for Disaster Relief,” raising $125,000 for Chicago Remembers and the Windows of Hope funds.

• Supporting the Esperanza Community Service for the adult disabilities program.

Shen’s driving philosophy is simple: if she hears of a need, she says “yes.”

Continuing to Give—Now in New Buffalo

Today, Chef Jackie Shen resides in New Buffalo, Michigan, where she owns and operates Jackie’s Café—a local favorite known for warm hospitality and stellar food. Her passion for service remains as strong as ever. Through the sale of her signature handmade fudge, she has raised more than $200,000 for the New Buffalo Library, River Valley Senior Center, and Meals on Wheels of Southwest Michigan.

Chicago may have shaped her, but New Buffalo celebrates her—and the generosity she continues to share.

Jackie Shen’s life story reflects the very best of every community she touches. From a determined teenager from Hong Kong to an acclaimed chef, restaurateur, and philanthropist, her journey is proof that with heart, hard work, and vision, the world around you truly can become a better place.