David Schonberger

David Schonberger is a Canadian artist and woodworker specializing in hardwoods found in Southern Ontario’s Carolinian region. Recognized for his artistic interpretation of the culinary wooden serving board and deep reverence for the forest, his work can be found throughout Canada and around the world.

Through apprenticeship, David obtained Red Seal certification in Carpentry from Fanshawe College, which gave him the tools to pursue a career in the trade in a non-traditional way. He is an advocate for ecological biodiversity, creating “Food Stories” within the local culinary community, and the significance of weaving relevance into tourism experiences.

With a passion to create and a mind to inspire, David developed “From Tree to Table: A Build-your-own Board Experience” in 2018. He invites guests to be a part of his artisanal journey and participate in his craft while they discover the magnificence of the Carolinian forest and terroir that surrounds them.

Through the art of storytelling, David is creating meaningful relationships and reaching diverse audiences. This new revenue stream is transforming his business model from production woodworking to host and storyteller with a focus on the guest experience, which he calls Relationship Tourism. David is the recipient of the 2019 Ontario Culinary Experience of the Year, the 2018 Ontario’s Southwest Innovative Experience of the Year, and the 2021 Ontario’s Southwest Sustainability Trailblazer of the Year awards. He has done extensive training in coaching experiential tourism development within small businesses with a focus on storytelling, and he continues to evolve as a host and coach through each visitor he welcomes.