CInders & Salt

Private Chefs

An Award⎯Winning Dining Experience—
Without Ever Leaving Home.

Book Your experience

OUR

Services

Family Style

Enjoy a relaxed and flavorful chef-prepared dinner with classic Southern dishes served family style. Perfect for casual celebrations and group gatherings.

  • Select one starter, two proteins, two side dishes and one dessert
  • Our Chefs will shop for all the ingredients.
  • They will prepare, cook, and serve you and your guests in your home.
  • Don't worry about clean-up, our Chefs do that as well!

Starting At $90/Person

$600 minimum plus the cost of groceries.

Family Style Menu Options

Multi-Course Service

A signature dining experience featuring a curated 3-course or 4-course plated menu with elevated Gulf Coast ingredients and refined Southern technique. Ideal for anniversaries, birthdays, and upscale hosting.

  • Create a customized multi-course for you and your guests with our Chef
  • Personalized Printed Menus
  • Our Chefs will shop for all the ingredients.
  • They will prepare, cook, and serve you and your guests in your home.
  • Don't worry about clean-up, our Chefs do that as well!

Starting At $100/Person


$600 minimum plus the cost of groceries.

MULTI-COURSE MENU OPTIONS

The Coastal Cocktail Hour

Whether you’re looking to entertain guests before dinner, a happy hour reception, or as a standalone experience, the Coastal Cocktail hour features handcrafted small bites and Gulf-inspired hors d’oeuvres—perfect for mingling, toasting, and savoring the moment.
  • Available as a standalone service or as an add-on before any dinner experience
  • Choose one stationary item
  • Then select from a variety of appetizers
  • Our Chefs will shop for all the ingredients
  • They will prepare, cook, and serve you and your guests in your home
  • Don’t worry about clean-up—our Chefs do that as well!
Starting At:

$65/Person – Stationary + 2 appetizers

$90/Person – Stationary + 5 appetizers

$600 minimum, all prices are plus the cost of groceries.

View Menu Options

The Coastal Brunch

A vibrant, chef-prepared brunch featuring Gulf-inspired flavors and scratch-made Southern favorites. Ideal for vacation send-offs, wedding mornings, or lazy Sundays with friends and family.

  • Select a Chef-Curated Brunch Menu or Customize Your Own
  • Our Chefs will shop for all the ingredients
  • They will prepare, cook, and serve you and your guests in your home
  • Don’t worry about clean-up—our Chefs do that as well!

Starting At $80/Person


$600 minimum plus the cost of groceries.

Our Brunch Options
Private Chefs

What Our Clients Say

“Chef David provided an amazing in‐home dining experience for our group of 10 girls. We were able to curate our own menu from his list of amazing options, and we loved every course he prepared for us! He arrived early and came with everything he would need to cook and serve us one of the best dinners we had during our trip!”
Molly P.
“We had a wonderful 70th birthday celebration with Chef David. The food was incredible and he was great with all of our guests that continued to ask questions 😉. It was a wonderful experience and we highly recommend Chef David!”
Greyson L.
“110% recommend Chef David to bring his years of culinary experience to the comfort of your home. Chef David customized a delicious menu and delivered the most memorable meal for our group. I have never tasted scallops like this and oh my goodness the snapper was amazing. Skip the crowded restaurants and let David give you the most delightful experience in the comfort of your own space.”
Anna R.
“Chef David provided our 3 generation family of 11 with the best meal of our trip! Every last detail of the meal was perfect and delicious. The kids (ages 3‐12) enjoyed their meal prior to the adults being served our amazing 4 course meal. Our only regret was not hiring him for more meals. Our dining experience with him will be very hard to beat and we look forward to dining with him again on our next trip! Thank you for such a wonderful experience Chef David!”
Holly D.
“Highly recommend this unparalleled culinary experience from Cinders & Salt. Chef David was punctual, professional, provided a delicious gluten free menu and remained passionately focused to deliver a beautiful dinner for our group at Rosemary - was a highlight of our trip. Expertly executed 5-course 5-star meal al fresco. Bon appetite! Thank you, Chef!”
Claire B.
“Dave was the absolute best. From his personality to delicious cuisine, everything was on point. If you’re in PCB, and want to experience fine dining that is brought/catered to you, please reach out Dave Cunningham at Cinders & Salt! You won’t be disappointed!”
Dexter C.
“David/Personal Chef provided exceptional service for a group of 13 close friends celebrating a 50th birthday party over a 3-day period in Panama City, FL. David's menu over the duration delivered variety and unique flavors that kept everyone excited about the next meal. His ability to engage with our group and deliver a narrative/explanation of each meal (from preparation to serving) was an added bonus for our group. His professionalism and commitment to his work was evident throughout the duration. David was able to remain focused on his tasks for each meal while engaging in our conversations when prompted which was an added delight for the group. David is a true professional and our group is still talking about our experience with David several weeks after our event. We'll definitely look forward to seeking out David's services again. The entire group wishes we had a personal 'David' that delivered amazing food every day. Thanks David for the unbelievable experience.”
Earl J.
Private Chefs

Does organizing dinner feel more like a chore than a celebration?

You’re on vacation—or hosting guests—and the last thing you want is to be stuck cooking, cleaning, or coordinating.

That’s where Chef David Cunningham and his team come in.

With over 25 years of award-winning culinary experience, Chef David delivers elevated Southern and Gulf Coast cuisine with a laid-back luxury that fits your style—whether you’re dressed in flip‐flops or your Sunday best.

From the first bite to the final toast, we handle every detail so you don’t have to. No cleanup. No stress. Just meaningful moments with the people you care about most.

Our Private Chef Experiences are designed to:

  • Make your guests feel at home—without lifting a finger
  • Transform ordinary nights into unforgettable memories
  • Blend chef‐level service with warmth, personality, and a touch of Southern soul

Because you deserve more than just a good meal. You deserve a moment that lasts.

Book your experience

OUR

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Interested in Cook Your Catch experiences, kids’ menus, brunch, hors d’oeuvres, cocktail parties, finger foods, or a seafood tower?
Book a consultation below to explore more!
Full-day (breakfast, lunch, and dinner), multi-day, and retreat packages are also available.

We Make Dinner,

You Make Memories.

Fill out the form and click submit.

Schedule a time to receive a phone call to discuss more details about your event.

Approve proposed menu.

Pay a deposit to secure the date of
your event.

Sit back relax and leave the rest to us!

or call (850) 419-0458

Frequently Asked Questions

What areas do you serve?

Cinders & Salt Chefs are based along Florida’s Emerald Coast and serve seaside Florida, including: 30A, Santa Rosa Beach, Destin, Panama City Beach, Pensacola, Apalachicola and surrounding Panhandle areas.

Private chef services typically range from $75 – $150 per guest on average. All of our services and pricing are clearly outlined with no hidden fees or markups. During your consultation, we’ll help determine the best option for your needs and can create a custom proposal if needed. Because the chef shops, cooks, serves, and cleans up for you in your home or vacation rental, many guests find the convenience and personalized experience worth it — especially for special occasions or vacations.

Booking with Cinders & Salt Chefs is designed to be simple and seamless.

1.) Inquiry & Consultation Call – Start by reaching out with your event date, location, and guest count. You’ll schedule a complimentary consultation call to discuss your vision, preferences, dietary needs, and overall experience.

2.) Custom Menu Planning – A tailored menu is created based on your occasion, tastes, and seasonal ingredients.

3.) Shopping & Preparation – Your chef handles all grocery sourcing and arrives with everything needed to execute the meal.

4.) On-Site Cooking & Service – The meal is prepared fresh in your home or vacation rental, served to you and your guests, and presented with professional care.

5.) Cleanup Included – After the meal, the kitchen is cleaned so you can relax and enjoy the rest of your evening.

We cook in both private homes and vacation rental properties, including Airbnb, VRBO, and other local rental companies throughout the Emerald Coast and 30A area. Whether you’re staying in a beachfront condo, a luxury rental home, or hosting in your personal residence, we bring a restaurant-caliber dining experience directly to you — so you can relax and fully enjoy your time at the beach without ever leaving the house.

Yes — menus can be customized to accommodate dietary requests, food allergies, and preferences. Simply communicate any needs during the booking and menu planning process.

We recommend booking at least 2–4 weeks in advance, especially for weekends, holidays, and larger events.While specific timelines aren’t published, popular dates and travel bookings can fill quickly, especially in peak seasons along the Gulf Coast. It’s best to reach out as soon as you know your dates so the chef can confirm availability and start menu planning.

Yes — We can be available for multi-day and extended private chef bookings, especially for vacation stays on the Emerald Coast. This allows guests to enjoy a fully customized dining experience throughout their trip, with menus planned for multiple days of breakfast, lunch, dinner, or special event meals. Each day is tailored to your preferences so you can relax and enjoy your stay without worrying about meals.