i. Biography
Baltimore native David Thomas came into the trade through hospitality-and-tourism training at Vatel Institute in Lyon, France, then brought that framework back to Maryland kitchens. At Herb & Soul in Parkville, the work took shape around care, intention, and a contemporary sense of place, with service and cooking treated as one continuous discipline.
Coming Up
Hospitality schooling at Vatel Hotel & Tourism Business School gave David Thomas an early grammar for the room as much as the plate. That training, rooted in hospitality and tourism, is where the precision started: a meal as food, yes, but also as an experience and a memory in progress. From there, his work as chef and co-owner at Herb & Soul in Parkville, Maryland, and as chef at Ida B’s Table in Baltimore, Maryland, built a resume that stays close to the city and region that shaped it. Today, David Thomas is chef/owner and executive chef and co-owner of H3irloom Food Group. The role extends beyond the kitchen line into operations and identity, with cooking used as a tool for leadership and for holding more than one expression of hospitality at once.
Where They Are Now
Modern soul food, farm-to-table cooking, and African-American food mark the current language of David Thomas’s work. In practice, those labels point to a style that is grounded in ingredients, direct in presentation, and clear about context. The table becomes a place where memory, craft, and conversation can sit together, without losing the pace or clarity of the plate.
Signature
David's signature dishes include Heirloom Tomato Salad, Fried Burrata, And Vanilla-Bourbon Reduction, Shrimp, Geechee Boy Grits, Cheddar, And Creole Cream Cheese, and Ratatouille: Shaved Summer Vegetables And Tomato-Carrot Broth. The list shows a line of cooking that works by balance: richness set against restraint, comfort set against lift, texture carrying as much weight as flavor. In David Thomas’s hands, the names read as composed plates with a seasonal frame.
In Their Words “Cooking is most probably my biggest source of joy and excitement. Every dish, every meal, every encounter around food will always be special!”
Honors
David's honors include Chopped grand champion. The recognition fits a career built on composure under pressure and the ability to finish with clarity.
Profile updated July 2026
FAQ
Asked of David
Where did David Thomas train or study?
David Thomas trained at Vatel Hotel & Tourism Business School.
What recognition has David Thomas received?
Chopped grand champion.
