David Hamilton has cooked for celebrities such as Martha Stewart, Rolling Stone Keith Richards, actress Glenn Close, and former President Ronald Regan. Today he cooks for guests at the Stonewall Jackson Hotel & Conference Center in historic Staunton.

David started at the Culinary Institute of America in New York over 20 years ago and worked at a number fine hotels such as the Grand Hyatt New York and fine food stores like Balducci’s. A few years ago he made the move to Charlottesville as executive chef for Kluge Estate Winery and Vineyard, where he made the transition to the Stonewall Jackson.

“I really appreciate the availability of good meats and produce here in Staunton,” David says. “It allows more creativity in the menu and the food quality is definitely superior when everything is fresh.”

David serves as Executive Chef for all banquets preparing Virginia favorites, classic French cuisine, pastries and even ice carvings.