Chef Tim Creehan's Beach Walk

Chef Tim Creehan
General Operating Partner and Executive Chef

"Find the best and freshest ingredients you possibly can - then prepare them simply."
Tim Creehan, Executive Chef/Owner

As the owner of two Destin restaurants, Beach Walk Crystal Beach and Creehan’s Copper Grill, and Destin’s New Culinary Center, Creehan’s Ultimate Kitchen and Event Center, sponsored by DCS by Fisher & Paykel, Chef Tim Creehan is living the dream. Born in Hartford, Connecticut, and spending most of his childhood and young adult life in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Tim discovered his calling at a very young age. He possesses a zest for life, extraordinary talent, an enormous joy in sharing his love for cooking with others and a commitment to giving back. At 41, he is a Certified Executive Chef, author, teacher, inventor, dynamic entertainer and a steward of his community.

Chef Creehan’s impressive career in the culinary arts began at Steak & Ale in Baton Rouge when he was only 14 years old. Two years later, the pursuit of excellence led Tim to serve as Executive Chef at Joey’s. Studying under Executive Chef Philippe Parola and then working side-by-side with John Folse, Tim progressed to the position of Executive Chef at Lafitte’s Landing in Donaldsonville, Louisiana at the ripe age of 19.

Creehan’s unwavering excellence has taken him to various locations across the globe. In 1984, Creehan participated in the American Harvest Promotion at the Hong Kong Hilton for a two-week guest chef appearance. Tim traveled to Tokyo with his mentor Philippe Parola to cook at FOODEX, the largest international food show in the world, where he prepared a special luncheon for Thomas Foley, ambassador to Japan. Steadfast dedication took Chef Creehan to Ralph & Kacoo’s Seafood Restaurant where he served as Corporate Executive Chef. As Consulting Chef for Delta Pride and Country Skillet Catfish, a Con-Agra Company, Tim was instrumental in recipe creation, food styling and product development.

In 1992, The American Culinary Foundation named Chef Creehan as one of the "youngest and most accomplished Certified Executive Chefs in the United States." In 1999, Cooking Light’s Grandstand ’99 selected Creehan as "one of the five chefs in the United States to be honored as a Shining Star Chef". As part of this honor, he demonstrated his dishes in front of thousands at Turner Field in Atlanta. In late 2003, at the DiRoNA international conference where he spoke on a panel to discuss marketing strategies in the industry. In early 2004, Creehan was selected as a one of five "Celebrated Chefs" for the National Pork Council to represent the organization at various events nationwide.

Prior to establishing Beach Walk which opened on April 4, 1998 in Destin, Creehan served as Executive Chef and founding partner of Destin’s award-winning Marina Café for 10 years. In May 2007, Creehan reopened Creehan's Copper Grill. Beach Walk Crystal Beach accolades and awards include:

2007 Best Chef, Best Service, Best Dessert, Emerald Coast Magazine
2007 DiRoNA Award, Distinguished Restaurants of North America
2007 Top 25 Restaurants in Florida, Golden Spoon Award Winner, Florida Trend Magazine
2007 Wine Spectator Award of Excellence, Wine Spectator Magazine
2007 Three Diamond Property, AAA/CAA
2006 Regional Culinary Hospitality Award in Fine Dining, Sante Magazine
2006 Best Chef, Emerald Coast Magazine
2006 DiRoNA Award, Distinguished Restaurants of North America
2006 Top 25 Restaurants in Florida, Golden Spoon Award Winner, Florida Trend Magazine
2006 Three Diamond Property, AAA/CAA
2005 “Restaurant of the Year” ~ Colleen Collfield/Northwest Florida Daily News
2005 Best Chef and Best Brunch, Emerald Coast Magazine
2005 DiRoNA Award, Distinguished Restaurants of North America
2005 Top 25 Restaurants in Florida, Golden Spoon Award Winner, Florida Trend Magazine
2005 Wine Spectator Award of Excellence, Wine Spectator Magazine
2005 Three Diamond Property, AAA/CAA
2004 Best Chef and Best Fine Dining, Emerald Coast Magazine
2004 DiRoNA Award, Distinguished Restaurants of North America
2004 Wine Spectator Award of Excellence, Wine Spectator Magazine
2004 Celebrated Chef, National Pork Council
2004 Three Diamond Property, AAA/CAA
2003 Top 25 Restaurants in Florida, Golden Spoon Award Winner, Florida Trend Magazine
2003 Wine Spectator Award of Excellence, Wine Spectator Magazine
2003 Three Diamond Property, AAA/CAA
2003 Best Chef and Best Service, Emerald Coast Magazine
2002 One of Florida’s Emerging Culinary Talents, Bon Appetit Magazine
2002 Best Chef, Emerald Coast Magazine
2002 Top 250 Restaurant, Florida Trend Magazine
2001 Top 200 Restaurant, Florida Trend Magazine
2000 Best Appetizer, Emerald Coast Magazine
1999 Shining Star Chef, Cooking Light Magazine



Click the books to order!

When it comes to sharing his love for the culinary arts, Creehan is on a joyful mission that has produced exceptional culinary tools. He has written two cookbooks: Flavors of the Gulf Coast and Simple Cuisine. Tim created another tool in 1997; Chef’s Grill Plus® is a patented non-stick grilling instant marinade. “It is the next household and restaurant condiment,” states Creehan.

Tim has been featured on dozens of “On the Menu” cooking shows throughout the Southeast and in early 2007 was named Host on Beach TV’s Emerald Coast Chefs appearing numerous times throughout the year in various markets including Panama City Beach, Destin, Fort Walton and Pensacola. Recently, The Tourist Network, producers of Beach TV, teamed with their sponsor DCS by Fisher and Paykel to create a new Chef Show series launching in December 2007. The new Chef Show will showcase America’s most popular celebrity chefs in America’s most fascinating destination cities and resorts. Good Food and Good Wine reaches all new altitudes and latitudes with this one-of-a-kind Celebrity Chef Show series! The 30 minute television programs highlight the culinary talents of each area’s most popular local chefs, and is hosted by Celebrity Chef Tim Creehan.

In addition to doing live demos, his award-winning recipes have been featured on Emeril Lagasse’s TV show and in publications such as Sysco’s Menus Today, Restaurant Business, Cheers, Florida Living, Country Weekly and Cooking Light. Sea Ray Living, Ford Times and Bon Appetit publications have highlighted Creehan’s career as well.

Creehan’s reputation for professionalism and love of cooking has allowed him to serve as chef for some of entertainment’s biggest stars. Celebrities such as Cybil Shepherd, Timothy Hutton, Debra Winger, and Katherine Crosby have invited him to serve as their personal chef. In March 2000, Creehan was called upon to serve as the Chef de Cuisine at the wedding reception of Amy Grant and Vince Gill. In fall 2001, Nashville beckoned once again. Creehan created a dish for Country Weekly magazine symbolizing country recording artist Tammy Cochran’s hit song, "Angels In Waiting", which is a tribute to her two brothers who passed away from cystic fibrosis. In appreciation, Ms. Cochran invited Creehan to escort her to the 35th Annual Country Music Awards.

Tim has instructed middle-school students in the All Kinds of Art Culinary Program and donated his time, food and talents for many charitable organizations such as Alzheimer’s Family Services, Inc., SOS, the American Heart Association and the American Cancer Society, to name a few.

Tim’s unfaltering energy, passion for the culinary arts and natural teaching talents are evidenced by his cooking classes, his vanguard dining experiences, and by the high esteem of his peers.

Tim Creehan lives in Destin, Florida where he enjoys sailing and exploring the journey of simplifying his life and his career.