Daniel Dalton
Emeline | Charleston, SC
NOVEMBER 2024
For Daniel Dalton, hospitality runs in the family. He started off working at his parents’ pub in New Jersey, stocking beer, bussing tables, and washing dishes. At 14, Dalton got a job at Fuddruckers, where he learned to bake and work in a high-volume kitchen. In college, he worked as a server at Planet Hollywood before becoming the corporate server trainer for the company and eventually working in the kitchen. Dalton went on to attend The French Culinary Institute and, after graduating, accepted a line cook position at Union Square Hospitality’s Tabla. But, when he was 21, he left to help his family run one of their bars after his father suffered a heart attack. He eventually sold their property and moved out West to Phoenix, Arizona, working with Chefs Christoper Gross, Eddie Matney, and Michael DeMaria, before settling in Wyoming, where he picked up a job at Jenny Lake Lodge. Dalton eventually became head chef of the luxury resort, learning what it takes to be a leader and how to manage a large staff. During the winter months, he traveled to Aspen to work as chef and then general manager of Cloud Nine Alpine Bistro.
After a move to Las Vegas, Dalton joined José Andrés’ ThinkFoodGroup and opened Jaleo as sous chef before accepting a sous position at Thomas Keller’s Bouchon. Then, Dalton spent time in Florida and Georgia to work on the corporate side at hotels, resorts, and golf courses for the next four years, expanding his leadership skills while learning to organize large events. He then moved to The Olde Farm Golf Club in Bristol, Virginia, where he designed an on-site garden for the restaurant and built out the club’s kitchen. After a stint in Martha’s Vineyard, Dalton relocated to Charleston. Working as the area executive chef at both Frannie & The Fox at Emeline and Little Palm at The Ryder Hotel, Dalton brings his years of culinary and managerial experiences to the table to build efficient systems throughout the hotels and to support his staff across the properties.
