Tim Creehan has risen to culinary heights in Destin, Fla., but the home of the beautiful white beaches isn’t where he started.

The award-winning chef was born in Hartford, Conn., and spent much of his childhood and young adult life in Baton Rouge, La. That is where he began his culinary career, which included time as executive chef in Donaldsonville, La., at age 19.

From his early beginnings…