Phoenix-based chef Devan Cunningham has quickly gone from the cozy bustle of his soul food restaurant, CC's on Central, to the high-flying culinary arenas of international cooking competitions. Recently, he snagged a spot on the Food Network's "Ciao House," a show that pits emerging American chefs against each other in the cradle of European cuisine: Italy. Cunningham, along with his mother Sharon with whom he co-owns the restaurant, has been delighting Arizonans with a hearty mix of Southern, Cajun, and Creole dishes since early 2023. According to Phoenix New Times, his stint abroad has only expanded the culinary horizon for this up-and-coming chef.
In "Ciao House," Cunningham aimed to seamlessly blend his Southern roots with Italian finesse, a task that proved both challenging and personally fulfilling. However, his bold move to include seedy slices of prickly pear in a dish led to an initial elimination. Given the opportunity to return, he ambitiously sought to make a prickly pear sorbet, complete with poppy seeds to mimic the texture that cost him his spot earlier. With a bit of cheek, Cunningham said, "I like to push buttons, so I was going to lean into the whole prickly pear seeds inside the sorbet." However, the Food Network's cameras didn't just capture his culinary prowess; they captured his larger-than-life personality rays – a detail that didn't escape Cunningham or his new base of fans. "It's funny. It's so different. I guess I didn't really expect that," Cunningham told Phoenix New Times.
Tasting sessions for those who are keen to experience Cunningham's Italian ventures from "Ciao House" can look forward to a ticketed dinner on August 10, where they'll be served dishes that enamored judges, with the exception, perhaps, of that notorious prickly pear sorbet. Embedding himself further in the community kitchen, Cunningham also has plans to launch a line of seasonings and mixes, aptly named Sharon's Creole Products. In a statement obtained by Phoenix New Times, the chef expressed his desire to help others "to kind of replicate some of our food at home and take some of our flavor home with them."
Despite Cunningham's stint on "Ciao House" ending short of victory, his confidence in the kitchen has not waned. As per azfamily.com, Cunningham shared,“I’ve been in kitchens for 14 years professionally,” he said. “A lot of my work is within Airbnb’s. I’m always in a new kitchen; I’m always seeing something new.” The culinary journey that started with family traditions from his childhood has undoubtedly placed Cunningham on the path to further chart his impact on the palate of Phoenix and beyond.
