David and Tina Schuttenberg are the owners of Charleston, SC-based Always Awkward Hospitality, known for punk rock Sichuan eatery Kwei Fei on James Island and Cantonese-inspired Beautiful South in historic downtown. David oversees all things culinary, while Tina handles the creative and marketing side of the business.
Before relocating to Charleston, David worked in some of New York City’s finest kitchens, including Tom Coliccio’s Craft, Zak Pelaccio’s Fatty Crab, and Dickson’s Farmstand Meats. With more than two decades of experience, he maintains a hands-on approach, keeping his knife skills sharp and his cooking acumen finely honed.
Tina’s career began in retail and fashion, where her eye for aesthetics led to her role as Creative Director at Dean & DeLuca before moving to Charleston in 2015. Despite having no prior restaurant experience, her skills allowed a seamless transition into hospitality.
Ironically, a series of professional setbacks early in their Charleston lives led the couple to open the cultish pop-up-turned-brick-and-mortar Kwei Fei in late 2018. Five years later, in 2023, they launched Beautiful South on the upper peninsula, bringing flavors and inspiration from the foods of Southern China with a more delicate, refined approach
