Chef Hunter Evans

Hunter Evans was born and raised in Jackson, Mississippi. While obtaining a Bachelor’s degree in Hospitality Management from the University of Mississippi, Hunter started cooking in one of John Currence’s kitchens. Hunter then went on to train at the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York. Hunter moved to New York City after graduation to work for Danny Meyer. Hunter moved back to Jackson in May of 2015 with intent to marry his now wife, Mary Kathryn. He began working at Lou’s Full Serv in the Belhaven neighborhood of Jackson in June of 2015.

Within a year, he was promoted to Sous Chef and eventually took the role of Chef de Cuisine. Hunter was crowned the 2019 Seafood King of Mississippi. In 2020 Hunter opened up his first restaurant, Elvie’s, a restaurant inspired by his grandmother from New Orleans, LA. Elvie’s offers a modern take on classic French cuisine through the lense of southern ingredients and traditions that provides an intimate and unique experience for the guests.

Hunter has enjoyed forging a network of relationships with Mississippi farmers where he showcases the beautiful ingredients at Elvie’s. Since opening Elvie’s Hunter has been featured in Garden & Gun magazine and named a Chef to Watch by Plate Magazine. Elvie’s was included in the New York Times top 50 favorite restaurants of 2022 and Hunter was named a James Beard semi-finalist for best chef south in 2022, 2024, and 2025 and a finalist in 2023.

In 2024 Evans and his business partner took over the iconic 90 year old Mayflower Cafe in downtown Jackson. The Mayflower Cafe was in the NY Times Top 50 favorite restaurants and A restaurant of the year by USA Today. The Local Palate named Evans the Best 4 Chef in Mississippi in 2025. Hunter and his wife Mary Kathryn live in the Belhaven neighborhood, where Elvie’s is located with their two daughters, Amelia and Anne Clay.