With over twenty years of industry experience, Chef Daniel is a distinguished culinary professional renowned for his leadership in high-profile restaurants. Most recently, he served as the culinary director and executive chef at Harbor View Hotel in Martha’s Vineyard and as executive chef at The Olde Farm Golf Club in Bristol, Virginia. Chef Daniel is a graduate of The French Culinary Institute in New York City and has honed his skills under the acclaimed Union Square Hospitality Group, including prestigious establishments like Tabla and Eleven Madison Park. He further refined his culinary expertise as a Sous Chef for renowned chefs José Andrés at Think Food Group and Thomas Keller at TKRG, before assuming the Executive Chef position at Cheeca Lodge & Spa in the Florida Keys.

In his current role as Executive Chef at Emeline and The Ryder Hotel, which he began in 2023, Chef Dalton is dedicated to Makeready’s mission of creating curated dining experiences. He draws inspiration from seasonal and regional ingredients to craft flavor-forward dishes that resonate with each unique concept, ensuring an unforgettable culinary journey for all guests.

At Emeline’s Frannie & The Fox, a wood-fired eatery serving regional ingredients with Italian sensibilities, Chef Daniel delights diners with effortless and sincere service. He oversees Frannie & The Fox’s extension, The Den, a caviar and martini bar inviting guests to be a sly fox in this secret hideaway. Clerks Coffee Company at Emeline also falls under Chef Daniel’s management and offers guests an inviting dining and café experience that behaves as a natural extension of Emeline.

At The Ryder Hotel, Chef Daniel spearheads Little Palm’s program to feature a fresh, tropical and flavorful menu that compliments the restaurant’s cocktail driven concept and poolside location. A combination of fresh seafood, shareable plates and seasonal dishes, the menu reflects the restaurant’s airy, laidback atmosphere and the artfully crafted cocktail menu. An extension of Little Palm, The Backyard offers a stand-alone menu along with specialty dishes from its dedicated grill menu, all of which are overseen by Chef Daniel.