Chopped Champion Chef Davante Burnley On Being A Private Chef In Detroit

Chef Davante Burnley is a Private Chef from Detroit, and a Food Network Chopped Champion. I was able to talk with him about his experience as a chef, winning Chopped while making Steak Diane.

Chef Davante got started in the kitchen like a lot of chefs do by cooking with his grandmothers. While he's from Detroit his cooking style was influenced by the south; with one grandmother being from Detroit and the other from the Carolina's.

Burnley got started as a prep cook, when he was 16 and loved that food brought people together. As a former athlete, being in the kitchen brought back the comradery that was missing after he stopped playing sports.

Talk to Davante we talked about the pros and cons of being a Private Chef, which were

As a personal chef, Chef Davante loves that he is able to create more different menus, as opposed to doing the same few dishes over and over. He also allowed to be more of a showman, with his clients. Although he does miss the energy and teamwork of being in a kitchen

Chef D appeared on and won Season 57, episode 8 of the popular Food Network show Chopped. The episode was titled "Neck and Neck," and featured two interesting ingredients; slipper lobsters and ostrich necks."

But Chef D wasn't fazed by the mystery baskets, because he prepared for the show by watching old episodes and having his sioux chef prepare their own mystery baskets and timing him. He's been approached about doing more with the Food Network including, ther BBQ Brawl, which he is considering.

Burnley is currently working on two projects, a Smokehouse concept and Southern Cuisine. The Smokehouse concept will be previewed during the NFL Draft this April in Detroit.

Get all that info and follow along his journey on Instagram @Chef_DavanteB.

It’s a brand-new year, and plenty of great things are on the horizon! Whether it's something personal or local happenings in Metro Detroit there’s plenty to look forward to. This year, Detroit has many  places to check out, from eateries to bars and cafes.

Many of these places are expected to open this year. But it's worth mentioning that opening dates tend to change and aren’t always set in stone. It’s best to keep tabs on these new local spots through their websites or social media for updates.

Looking back at last year, we saw some awesome additions to the Detroit food scene. Alpino Detroit brought a European-influenced menu, Cibo Detroit found a home in Cambria Hotel, and Nepantla brought to the area vegan Mexican food (to name a few).

Yelp gave a shoutout to some of last year’s new restaurants in Detroit. Charminar Biryani House in downtown Detroit snagged the top spot, followed by Tonini’s Woodfired Pizzeria and Tiger Thai. These places are not just “hottest,” they're the best, according to Yelp.

Supporting a local restaurant isn’t just good for them. It's also good for you too. You're likely to feel more at home in a small local place than at a big chain. Plus, local spots serve up dishes you won't find anywhere else, from local staples to some seriously creative dishes.

Additionally, when you eat or drink at a neighborhood restaurant, you're giving back to the community. Local spots create jobs and keep the money flowing right where it's needed. As a bonus, they're usually sourcing ingredients locally. Beyond these, there are numerous additional advantages, including contributing to environmental well-being and building connections with local vendors.

If you're a foodie always on the lookout for the next delicious adventure, make sure to add these upcoming five Detroit joints to your must-try list.

Dutch Girl Donuts in Detroit is gearing up for a reopening this year with new ownership. Paddy Lynch, the owner of The Schvitz bathhouse in Detroit and the third-generation head of Lynch & Sons Funeral Directors, has acquired the Woodward Avenue shop. According to multiple reports, there's a strong connection between the Lynch family and Dutch Girl's previous owners, the late Gene and Lauren Timmer. Tim Lynch, Jr., Paddy's cousin, has had a longstanding relationship with the Timmer family since childhood and managed their funeral services. A spring 2024 opening is planned for the long-standing spot with the iconic blue sign at 19000 Woodward Ave.

Prime Concepts Detroit is adding a new restaurant combo to the mix at the Grand Army of the Republic Building. They're calling it Sexy Steak, and it'll focus on steaks and seafood. Also, there's another spot in the same place called Sexy Burger, taking over from the old Parks and Rec Diner. Sexy Burger will serve up burgers, chicken, pasta, and other tasty stuff. Plus, they'll have spots for private dining and events.

The Ice Cream Detroit specializes in liquor-infused ice cream and sorbet. One of the shop’s signature flavors is a strawberry Faygo Red Pop sorbet with coconut rum. According to their Instagram, they are scheduled for spring of this year. If you can't wait, you can get a taste of their Virgin Ice Cream Bar inside Detroit Soul located at 14300 E. Jefferson.

In August, Michigan-based restaurant operators H&D Group Investments signed a deal with Shaquille O’Neal’s fast-casual chicken chain to develop 20 locations across the state, with plans to open in Ann Arbor, Lansing, Flint, Saginaw, Mount Pleasant, and metro Detroit. Metro Times reports that the first location is planned for Clio, set to open in early 2024, with a second location announced to open in Highland in the spring.

The original spot in Eastern Market closed last November, Now, it’s relocating just a few blocks away to a more spacious venue. The new setup will feature a sit-down restaurant, two outdoor patios, and live entertainment. You can still visit their other two locations on Seven Mile in Detroit and on Orchard Lake Road in Farmington Hills. Their new location is expected to open sometime this year at 2830 Gratiot Ave.