In 2001, after working in various restaurants, David went to work for Brian Mutch at the Miami Beach Restaurant in Aberdeen, where he began his apprenticeship. In 2002 David competed in and won Grampian Young Chef of the Year, and began training with the junior culinary team under the management of Scott Lyall and Robert Bruce.

In October 2002 he moved to Ballathie House, Perthshire with Kevin MacGillivray, working mainly in the pastry corner. In 2004 he moved back to Aberdeen and took a job at Cafe 52 as sous chef, and then being promoted to head chef. In 2006 a chance meeting with Neil Rae, owner of the Milton Restaurant at Crathes, resulted in a job offer as head chef.

In 2007 he competed in, and won Grampian Chef of the year, he also won Grampian restaurant of the year 2007. In 2009 and 2011 David was a finalist in Scottish Chef of the Year, winning the award for best main course in 2009.

In September 2010, Neil Rae purchased Raemoir House Hotel and David was the Executive Chef of both restaurants. To add to his achievements the restaurant at Raemoir House gained its second AA Rosette in 2011 and won Scottish Country House Hotel of the Year in 2011, again in 2012.

In 2013 David, on his third time as a finalist, won the award for Best Intermediate Dish in the Scottish Chef of the Year competition and was crowned the overall winner with a gold medal. In the same year, his brigade at Raemoir House Hotel were awarded Scottish Chef Team of the Year and The Dining Room at the restaurant was runner-up in Scottish Rural Restaurant of the Year. David, a Masterchef of Great Britain, has appeared in numerous television and radio broadcasts in the UK.

In October 2013 David, in partnership with his Brother-in-law, Nigel, and their wives, purchased Kildrummy Inn, in Aberdeenshire, where he and the team are achieving a ever-growing reputation for fantastic food using the very best of Scottish produce.

In 2017 David became President of The Federation of Chefs Scotland and will be instrumental in the growth of the organisation over the next few years. Developing and nurturing the future talent in the Scottish Culinary Industry.

Although still Executive Chef and Co-Proprietor of Kildrummy, David now spends most of his time at the team's sister Hotel and Restaurant the Tor Na Coille in Banchory. The Hotel has just been awarded Four AA stars for the Hotel and Two AA Rosettes for the restaurant.

Alex joined the Kildrummy team in November 2014. She worked with David at the Milton of Crathes and at Raemoir House Hotel before joining him in the kitchen at Kildrummy. Alex has industry qualifications in Professional Cookery and Culinary Arts and has competed at the highest levels of the profession including at the Junior and Senior Grampian Chef of the Year and was the first female chef to win the Pastry Chef of the Year competition. She was a semi finalist at the Academy of Culinary Arts Annual Awards of Excellence in London. You may also recognise Alex as a BBC Masterchef The Professionals Quarter Finalist.

Alex believes in using fresh and seasonal produce bought from local suppliers so you will find the menu at Kildrummy Inn will change on a very regular, sometimes daily, basis to keep you going back time and time again to experience new delights.

Growing up on a small farm taught me the value of fresh, quality produce and after learning to bake bread when I was four years old I have always had a passion for food. However, after a brief spell in a professional kitchen as work experience I decided that, whilst I loved cooking, the life of a chef wasn't for me. I continued to cook for friends and family events and gained a real buzz from seeing people enjoy good food. Throughout a successful IT career and a long spell working with young people teaching motivational techniques and business skills, the hospitality trade continued be a draw. When David joined the family it seemed right that at some point we should team up and combine our respective skill sets. Having a rural upbringing and being immersed in the country lifestyle has meant Kildrummy Inn has quickly felt like home. Alongside my passion for excellent service and food other interests include country pursuits and all forms of motorsport.

Helen Hake

Having grown up in a family that always enjoyed good food and entertaining, when Nigel suggested that we might consider moving to the North East of Scotland to run a small hotel and restaurant with my sister Sophie and her husband, David, I was happy to support his passion. I've been very lucky that my 'day job' allowed me a direct transfer to Aberdeen and whilst it has been a big change I share his enthusiasm for excellent service and very much enjoy being a part of the team and helping customers to enjoy their time at the Inn. When time allows I am often to be found indulging my own creative passion for all things woolly, from felting to knitting and crochet. The keen-eyed may notice a few of my creations that help to decorate the Inn!

Sophie Littlewood

David and I have been together for 12 years, so invariably some of his passion for good food and hospitality has rubbed off, and we have always dreamed about starting our own business. When we first came to see Kildrummy Inn we knew it was the right place for us! The stunning scenery and the warm cosy atmosphere of the Inn immediately drew us in and we knew it was somewhere special. I do a lot of 'behind the scenes work' at Kildrummy and Tor Na Coille as I have our children George and Evie to look after. I love being a part of something that we are all building together and am excited to see the Inn and Hotel grow from strength to strength.