Chef
Brad Steelman
- Discipline
- Chef
- Based in
- Brooklyn, New York, United States
i. Biography
Since 2000, Brad Steelman has carried the executive-chef role at The River Café in Brooklyn, New York, turning one long appointment into the central arc of his cooking life. The path named for him moves through that landmark kitchen rather than across a crowded list of stops: arrival, continuity, and the daily pressure of leading a room associated with Classic American cuisine.
Coming Up
In 2000, Brad Steelman stepped into the role of Executive Chef at The River Café in Brooklyn, New York, bringing his early career into focus at one of the city’s most distinctive dining rooms.
Where They Are Now
Steelman has been Executive Chef of The River Café since 2000. The current role keeps him in Brooklyn, where his cooking is attached to a restaurant with a long-running chef lineage. The signature work shows the range of that kitchen without leaving the verified contours of his craft. One dish turns on the architecture of pasta and sauce; another places rabbit loin with pancetta and artichoke; a third pairs pork belly and Maine sea scallop with fruit, nut, and jus. Together, they put texture, sauce, and Classic American cooking at the center of his ongoing work. He is also part of the restaurant’s long-running chef lineage and has been described as one of its world-class chefs. In a career built around one address, that lineage gives the story its momentum: not a sequence of exits, but a long hold on the pass.
Signature
Brad's signature dishes include Ravioli and Oxtail, Pancetta-Wrapped Roasted Rabbit Loin, and Slow smoked Heritage pork belly & Maine sea scallop duet.
Honors
The recognition attached to him is his place in the River Café’s long-running chef lineage and the description of him as one of the restaurant’s world-class chefs.
Profile updated July 2026
FAQ
Asked of Brad
What is Brad Steelman's current role?
As of 2026, Brad Steelman is Executive Chef.
What is Brad Steelman known for?
Classic American cuisine.
