About | Cinder and Salt Chefs

Chef

David Cunningham

Founder Of Cinders & Salt Chefs

A Louisiana native with deep roots in Gulf Coast cooking, Chef David Cunningham is the founder and executive chef of Cinders & Salt Chefs, a boutique personal chef service based in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida. With over 35 years in the industry, Chef David is known for his passion for open-fire cooking, refined coastal cuisine, and a lifelong love of the outdoors.

Raised in Baton Rouge, David grew up steeped in South Louisiana’s culinary traditions—

where weekends meant cleaning fish, cooking game, and mastering family recipes. After earning his degree from Louisiana State University, he went on to train at Johnson & Wales in Charleston, SC, and completed a second degree in Hotel, Restaurant & Tourism from the University of New Orleans.

David's professional journey began in New Orleans at the famed Commander's Palace

There, he refined his fine-dining skills under the tutelage of industry icons, Ella Brennan and Jamie Shannon, cooked at the James Beard House, and appeared in Gourmet Magazine and Turner South’s Off the Menu.

Following a successful stint in Vermont as Chef de Cuisine at Mary’s at Baldwin Creek and Executive Chef for the Perry Restaurant Group, he returned to his Gulf Coast roots to open Commander’s Palace Destin at HarborWalk Village in 2009.

In 2011, he helped shape the emerging 30A culinary scene as opening chef of V Seagrove

Earning honors such as the 30A Seafood Showdown title, Florida Trend’s Golden Spoon Award, and a feature on Emeril’s Florida. He later joined Word of Mouth Restaurant Group, playing a key role in the success of beloved local spots like Stinky’s Fish Camp, Trebeaché, and Blue Mountain Catering.

Most recently, Chef David served as Executive Chef at Blue Mabel Smokehouse, earning Best New Restaurant, Best Brunch (2021), and Best Happy Hour awards.

An award-winning pitmaster, David has competed in the World Championship Barbecue Contest, Smokeslam World Food Championships, Hogs for the Cause, and the 30A BBQ Festival. He is also the creator of a premium line of crafted rubs and grilling spices under the Cinders & Salt name.

Chef David is a passionate supporter of his community and regularly donates his time and talent to local and national charities including The Sonder Project, Northwest Florida Children’s Charities, South Walton Artificial Reef Association, Underwater Museum of Art, and the Emeril Lagasse Foundation.

Through Cinders & Salt Chefs,

Chef David now offers intimate, fire-kissed coastal dining experiences that blend Southern soul with elevated, laid-back luxury. When he’s not cooking, you’ll find him on the water or at the beach with his wife Dina and their children Tobie, Owen, and Bella.