Strings
Born in Dublin, Ireland, in 1949, Noel Cunningham followed his family into the culinary world at age fourteen. He proved a quick study, hired as an apprentice at London's famous Savoy Hotel after just three years and attained the rank of sous chef by age 23 - an especially notable accomplishment for a non-Frenchman.
Noel and his family relocated to Los Angeles, California in the 1970s and Noel took a job as sous chef at Harry's Bar & American Grill in Century City. He advanced rapidly over the next few years, rising to executive chef in charge of Spectrum Foods, the corporation that owned Harry's Bar and several other notable California-based restaurants.
In 1980 Noel was tapped to be chef at Touch, an exclusive Beverly Hills private supper club that was the top choice for celebrities. He held the post until 1986, when Touch was sold. A former colleague soon convinced Noel to come to Denver to open a new restaurant on 17th Avenue - and Strings was born.
In 1989, Noel started a second restaurant in Lakewood, Colorado, named 240 Union, and two years later opened the contemporary Italian Trattoria Ciao Baby in Southwest Denver. Noel subsequently sold his majority share in Ciao Baby and still maintains Strings and 240 Union.
Noel and his wife Tammy are very active in the global community. Their involvements are detailed at www.cunninghamfoundation.org.
