Daniel Murray

Photo Credit: Taylor Ellis Media

NC Catch Chef Ambassador Daniel Murray is the Chef de Cuisine at Cypress Hall in New Bern, North Carolina.  For the past 11 years, he has cooked in Ohio and Texas, and in North Carolina since 2018.  Daniel was first inspired by Bud Taylor at The Bistro in Topsail Island, where he began working with local fisherman and farmers.  Then, he spent time under Jamie Davis (also an NC Catch Chef Ambassador), at The Hackney in Washington, NC.  Another champion for all things local, Chef Jamie also inspired him to continue to develop working relationships with his local contacts, and push himself everyday to be better.  

Daniel took all that inspiration and advice to Cypress Hall in 2019 where he continues to work with many local purveyors, allowing him to focus on the seasonality of ingredients and highlight the best of North Carolina on the plate.  

One of his favorite ingredients to work with is NC Oysters.  Each oyster is unique and tells a story on the plate of where it comes from and about the farmer who raised it.  “I learned early on that oysters are more than food, they are tradition, community, and storytelling all wrapped in a shell.”  

Growing up near the water in Florida, Daniel forged an early relationship with seafood.  He was always fishing and learning how to break down fish and how to properly cook them.  He recalls his first dish was fried bluegill with instant grits.  It became his passion then, and continues to this day.  

The past year has been one of tremendous growth and development, as he continues to hone  his skills.  He is excited about a future project that will feature North Carolina’s vast bounty of seafood.  

Visit Cypress Hall  and on IG @cypresshallfood and follow Daniel on IG @daniel.n.murray