Leawood

David Padberg

Executive Chef

David Padberg’s culinary journey began in his hometown of Kansas City, where he started his career at the acclaimed American Restaurant under James Beard Award-winning Chef Michael Smith. Surrounded by legendary guest chefs and inspired by their craft, David traveled across the U.S. to train in their kitchens—an early sign that travel and exploration would become central themes in his life and cooking.

In 2001, David set off for Europe and immersed himself in the diverse culinary cultures across the continent. Returning stateside, he landed in Portland, Oregon, where he worked under another James Beard Award-winner, Cory Schreiber. Over the next decade, David became a fixture in Portland’s top kitchens, earning two James Beard nominations during his time at Park Kitchen.

In 2006, David’s travels took him to Japan, where he fell in love with the country's culinary traditions and became a Certified Sake Sommelier. His deepening passion for Japanese cuisine led to a defining opportunity in 2014: launching a Japanese restaurant at the world-renowned Ten Thousand Waves Japanese Spa in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

In 2017, David helped launch Farina, an acclaimed restaurant that earned him the title of “Rising Star Chef” from Feast Magazine. In 2021, he brought his leadership and global culinary perspective to Bristol Seafood Grill in Leawood, where he has served as Executive Chef ever since.