Cindy Hutson

In 1994 award-winning and James Beard Nominee, chef Cindy Hutson met her life partner, Delius Shirley. With passion for cooking, no formal training and three kids to care for, Hutson was hesitant to open their first restaurant venture. Against the odds and with the extra support of Shirley, Hutson took the leap of faith and that same year opened Norma’s on the Beach. Rave reviews touted Hutson’s cuisine as “the best Caribbean restaurant in South Florida” and international support from USA Today, The New York Times, London Times, Chicago Tribune, Chef Magazine and Eater, who named Hutson “Chef of the Year” (2012), helped set the pace for what would develop into a thriving culinary future.
Hutson’s culturally diverse and seasonally driven culinary style is heavily influenced by extensive travel and food history. Her signature “Cuisine of the Sun” is a self-coined approach that means to create without limits and cook everything under the sun, infusing nuances of her famous island flavors throughout. “I thrive on teaching about our earth’s bounties, edible history and utilizing indigenous ingredients that are regionally prepared,” says Hutson about her culinary inspiration.
Together Hutson and Shirley built a culinary empire opening Ortanique on the Mile in July of 1999, named top 10 new restaurants by Esquire Magazine. Nominated by The James Beard Foundation as Best Chef in the Southeast of the United States. Soon to follow were more than eight award-winning concepts. Stretching from Miami to Las Vegas, Washington DC, Baltimore, Grand Cayman, Bahamas, Jamaica and back again. Chef Hutson earned the honors of being named a James Beard Nominee. The dynamic duo is recognized with accolades from Esquire and Bon Appétit acknowledging it as one of the “Best New Restaurants” and Condé Nast Traveler awarding it as one of their “Hot Table” concepts; and praised by Caribbean Journal as one of the “Top 50 Best Restaurants” in the Caribbean.
Hutson published her first cookbook, From the Tip of My Tongue (Story Farm), which received the prestigious 2015 Gourmand World Cookbook Award for “Best Woman Chef Cookbook in the United States.” Additionally, Hutson and Shirley, open Ortanique Camana Bay, Grand Cayman 2010, Consulting/directors of The Dunmore Beach Club Resort Harbour Island, Bahamas, opened a Zest concept at The Cliff Hotel in Negril, Jamaica on December 1st, 2015, where her world cuisine was enjoyed overlooking breathtaking views of the pristine Caribbean Sea. The restaurant has been revered as one of the top 25 restaurants in the Caribbean. In February 2016, Hutson and Shirley opened Zest, a contemporary fine dining concept, and Zest MRKT for “grab and go” in downtown Miami’s Southeast Financial Center. She is the celebrity chef/culinary ambassador for the Miami Cancer Institute (Baptist Hospital) that opened January of 2017. And 2019-2023 the couple consulted at Cerveceria La Tropical Brewery/Taproom in collaboration with Heineken in Wynwood, Miami that launched February 16th 2021.
In July of 2020, the couple sadly closed the doors of their widely celebrated Ortanique on the Mile in Coral Gables due to the pandemic. The restaurant was 21 years old to date. “The Treasured Diners and Hidden Haunts that Covid-19 Closed for Good”. Front Page of The New York Times December 27, 2020.
Currently the dynamic duo continues to consult with their extensive culinary expertise from BOH to FOH. With their newly formed company Sun Cuisine Catering LLC, they bring the fond memories of their beloved Ortanique and some into your home, and now into yours. Intimate wine dinners, tastefully vibrant and informative cooking classes are some of the most requested events available.

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