Our Team
David Nelson
Executive Chef
A Minnesota native, David Nelson comes to Timeless – MHK Eatery with more than 20 years of progressive culinary experience in world-class hotels and upscale restaurants. His introduction to the food industry was as a dishwasher in a cafe when he was 16 years old. However, in one short month, he was cooking! Natural talent met passion for food. Chef David loved the pace and pressure of the kitchen and, at the age of 19, he enlisted in the United States Army as a cook and served in the 2nd Ranger Battalion. After fulfilling his contract, Chef David attended the Art Institute of Seattle and obtained an Associates of Applied Sciences Culinary Arts. He then returned to his hometown of Minneapolis and began working as the Executive Sous Chef at Mission America Kitchen and Bar. In 2006, Chef David decided he “had enough of the frigid cold Minnesota winters,” and moved to Naples as the Developmental Chef for Truluck’s Seafood, Steak & Crab. After nine years and earning his chops at Truluck’s, he oversaw the kitchen at Avenue 5 and The Inn On Fifth for one season, before obtaining his current, and dream, position – Executive Chef at Timeless – An MHK Eatery. With the open kitchen layout, Chef David is excited for the opportunity to interact directly with his customers on a daily basis. He draws his inspiration from watching the reaction of guests enjoying his cuisine. Chef David finds the progressive and inventive nature of cooking to be exhilarating, and bases his cooking philosophy on utilizing the right technique with high quality, fresh, seasonal ingredients – many sourced locally or made in house. Inspired by shareable dishes that he enjoys cooking and eating himself, Chef David uses a modern cooking technique with classic dishes to give them a unique texture and balance. For Chef David, “every dish should be an experience not just food on a plate.” In addition to his passion for cooking, Chef David is a golf enthusiast, as well as huge fan of all Minnesota sports teams.
Matthew Kragh
Owner
Timeless – An MHK Eatery is the vision and creation of owner, Matthew Kragh – founder and owner of MHK Architecture + Planning firm in Naples, Florida. He was inspired to build a restaurant evocative of his casual “Old Florida” architectural designs, featuring his signature white, fresh, simple and timeless yet modern style and décor, after being home sick with the flu and binge watching Chef’s Table. He also felt downtown Naples was missing a bakery, and eatery that offered fresh morning bagels, grab and go eggs as well as artisan sandwiches, a light lunch with organic salads and proteins, hot, fresh pizza delivered to your door, and a restaurant with a lounge featuring lunch and dinner. He combined these missing ingredients; and two years later, his vision has become a reality under one roof at Timeless.
Matthew Kragh, AIA has been an integral leader in the design and development of several design and honor awards from the American Institute of Architects. MHK specializes in the design of single-family residential, multi-family residential, commercial office, mixed-use developments and master planned communities. The firm is an industry leader in re-zoning properties and obtaining land use entitlements. MHK has helped lead the design industry by maintaining a key role in community leadership and has created several dynamic projects such as Naples Square, the Mangrove Bay Development and the upcoming 1075 Central Avenue downtown development. In addition to MHK’s professional work, the firm contributes time and resources to benefit the community at large. These charitable projects include the City of Naples Dog Park, the City of Naples Norris Center and the City of Naples Baker Park. Matthew has served as President to the American Institute of Architects SWF, a Board of Director to the United Arts Council of Collier County, the Naples Downtown Association, the Urban Land Institute Executive Committee, the Economic Development Council of Collier County, The South Florida Land Preservation Trust and the City of Naples Four Corners Committee. Matthew and his wife also do international mission work and run a charitable foundation to empower the youth of the world and to help individuals to become community leaders.