Kadon Barnwell - Executive Chef 

Executive Chef Kadon Barnwell’s interest in food goes back as far as he can remember, describing himself as an adventurous eater and taking to cooking at home at a very young age. His early influences come from many cultures including his family background, with Guyanese, Honduran and Filipino cuisines early on.  As soon as he was old enough he went to work at Raritan Valley Country Club at 16 years old. Here he made the jump from cooking for fun at home to the rigors and fundamentals of the professional kitchen, a step that discourages so many would-be chefs. But the effect was the polar opposite for Kadon, who was fascinated by both the energy of the kitchen and the creative side of creating great food. Finding his true passion for cooking, he determined to make a career in the field.

In 2018 he received an opportunity to take a position at the award winning Pluckemin Inn, one of New Jersey’s finest dining destinations - known worldwide for both its superb cuisine and Grand Award winning wine program. He began as a lunch cook, but also took part in the restaurant's many private dining events and wine dinners.  

It was there that he made the connection between food and wine, and while he moved up in the kitchen, he also began his independent wine study through the Wine and Spirits Education Trust, a series of educational programs that eventually start the process of qualifying for the Master of Wine. In just two short years he became Sous Chef and eventually Chef de Cuisine. 

It was during this time that he first met Chris Cree, where Chris watched him grow and progress up the ranks in the kitchen during his stint there, impressed with his love of cooking, his love of wine and food pairing, and his youthful talent. 

Today Kadon describes his culinary style as a culmination of mixed cultures from all around the world, a love of local ingredients, expressed through the techniques and experience he gained working and learning in one of the country’s top kitchens. It is with great pleasure that we welcome Kadon to the Cree Wine Company team, and we look forward to creating many delicious and exciting food and wine experiences in the future!