Meet Chef David
A native of south Louisiana and the Gulf coast, Chef David has spent the last 35 years refining his craft. Fueled by his passion for the outdoors, he specializes in Gulf Coast seafood and wood fired cuisine. Born and raised in Baton Rouge, David grew up surrounded by a family of great cooks. Cleaning fish or game and learning how to create Louisiana specialties was part of the weekly routine.
After graduating from Louisiana State University in 1993, Chef David attended culinary school at Johnson & Wales University in Charleston, S.C. and then attained a Bachelor’s degree in Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Administration from the University of New Orleans. While earning his third degree, David completed his formal training at the famed New Orleans Commander’s Palace under James Beard winner, Chef Jamie Shannon. During his stint at Commander’s Palace, Chef David was featured in Gourmet Magazine featuring the Top Five chocolate desserts, cooked at the famous James Beard House in New York and participated in the Turner South “Off the Menu” television show.
David and his family moved to Vermont in November 2001, at which time he took the position of Chef du Cuisine at Mary’s at Baldwin Creek and later became the Executive Chef of the Perry Restaurant Group in 2002. In August of 2009, David Cunningham took the helm as Executive Chef of the newest addition to the Commander’s Family of restaurants at Commander’s Palace Destin, located in the HarborWalk Village Emerald Grande Resort.
In 2011, David helped put the corner of Hwy 395 and 30A on the culinary map by opening V Seagrove in 2011. While at V Seagrove, he accumulated several awards such as 30a Seafood Showdown, Urbanspoon Top 200 Restaurants, Florida Trends Golden Spoon Award, Tripadvisor Certificate of Excellence. He was also featured on the “Emeril’s Florida” television series.
In 2015, he joined the team at Word of Mouth Restaurant group helping oversee the culinary excellence at Stinky’s Fish Camp, Trebeache and Blue Mountain Catering. Working along side local celebrity chefs Jimmy Richard and Todd Misener, he spent several years providing some of the best seafood along the 30A corridor
For the last few years, Chef David has led Blue Mabel Smokehouse to become one of the premier restaurants on 30A. While at Blue Mabel, chef Cunningham helped them win awards for Best New Restaurant, Best Brunch in 2021 and Best Happy Hour.
BBQ and ‘backyard” style cooking has long been a hobby for Chef. He has competed in The Barbeque World Championship in Memphis and Hogs for the Cause in New Orleans. David’s 16 hour smoked brisket and dry rub wings are famous from
one end of Hwy 30A to the other.
AWARDS
2009 Blues, Brews, & BBQ 3rd place Seafood
2011 Blues, Brews & BBQ 1st Place Traditional BBQ
2012 Blues, Brews & BBQ 2nd Place People's Choice
2012 30A Seafood Showdown Food Critic Award
2012 Urbanspoon Top 200 Restaurant
2012 Tripadvisor Certificate of Excellence
2012 Florida Trends Golden Spoon
2013 30A Seafood Showdown Peoples Choice Award
2013 Tripadvisor Certificate of Excellence
2019 Emerald Coast Magazine Best New Restaurant
2021 Emerald Coast Magazine Best Brunch
2021 Hogs for the Cause Honorable Mention
2022 BBQ World Championship 12th place Brisket
2023 30A.com Best Brunch
2023 BestLOCAL Best Happy Hour