Meet the Chefs
AKA The Dragons
Before Colwyn even debuted into the world, he was already a seasoned traveler—visiting eight countries across three continents while still in the womb. Wherever the Hinckleys roamed, Chef Natalie’s cravings remained constant: ginger lemongrass chicken and chilled chocolate cake. Even as a baby, Colwyn showed his love for food—eyeing his parents’ plates with curiosity and skipping puréed apple sauce altogether to dive straight into finger foods. He eagerly watched every meal being prepared and, as soon as he could stand, jumped in to help. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner became playgrounds of culinary exploration—with dishwashing splashes as a bonus!
Born in Antigua, Colwyn earned the affectionate nickname “Wadadli Dragon.” “Wadadli” is the original name of Antigua, meaning “our own,” a nod to the island’s indigenous Arawak heritage. His Antiguan aunts and uncles called him Wadadli, honoring his birthplace and Caribbean roots.
The “Dragon” part of his moniker comes from his Welsh origins. Natalie proudly identifies as Welsh, with her mother (affectionately known as “OD” or “Original Dragon”) hailing from the green valleys of Wales. Now known as the “Mother of Dragons,” Natalie has embraced her fiery role, continuing a family legacy steeped in culinary excellence.
Cooking runs deep in their family lineage. Great Grandad was a Cordon Bleu-trained chef, a tradition passed on to Natalie’s mother, OD, and to Natalie herself. Although Natalie holds a Master’s degree in Fine Arts (Photography), her true passion led her to a career in the kitchen. She honed her craft as a chef aboard luxury super yachts, traveling the world and creating exquisite meals for discerning palates. During her time at sea, she met Captain Trevor Hinckley, now Husband and Father of Dragons, embarking on a new adventure together.
Life brought the Hinckleys back to the U.S., where a serendipitous stop at Dunkin’ Donuts along I-95 changed everything. Spotting a two-for-one jelly donut deal, Natalie—typically not one for sweets—devoured the donuts with uncharacteristic gusto. Powdered sugar and jelly adorned her face as she announced to her stunned husband that they would soon be adding a new member to the family.
Enter Brenin, born in South Beach, Miami, during the early days of COVID. Sweet as those jelly donuts, Brenin exudes the vibrant energy of his birthplace—Miami’s flair for flavor, passion, and spice. Dubbed the “Cubano Dragon,” his zest for life is as bright and bold as the city where he took his first breaths.
Following Trevor’s work, the Hinckleys became nomads, traveling between the Caribbean and the USA. Back on the mainland, they traveled up and down the East Coast in their Airstream, lovingly nicknamed “Tin Dragon.” Their tiny mobile home became a hub for creativity: they cultivated a traveling garden of hot peppers, tomatoes, and herbs and transformed picnic tables and campfires into gourmet kitchens.
Now, the Dragons have landed on another island: Southwest Harbor on Mount Desert Island. The family is excited to share their passion for fresh, local, and globally inspired fusion flavors from here.
Led by the Mother of Dragons herself, with generations of culinary expertise fueling their creativity, the Dragons invite you to savor the magic of their adventures—blending rich heritage, world travels, and island roots into every delicious bite!