i. Biography
The Climb
At roots, Basel, Switzerland, Pascal Steffen has served as head chef since 2017 and partner since 2025. The roles sit on the same line as the cooking itself: measured, exacting, and built around a clear standard of restraint. His work is defined by the way each component is handled with intent, so the plate reads as a series of decisions rather than an accumulation of effects.
Today
The kitchen at roots is where Pascal Steffen’s approach becomes legible in full. Head chef since 2017, he works with product, plating, and menu structure as parts of one system, each reinforcing the others. The result is a style that favors clarity over noise, with ingredients given the room to register on their own terms. That principle sits at the center of the cooking. It shows in the controlled pacing of the dishes, in combinations shaped by balance and texture, and in a menu language that stays spare. Gurke | Felchen | Meerrettich; Fave Bohnen | Eierschwämmli | Zander; Kürbis | Wels; and Federkohl | Schalotte | Ente are titled with the same economy that governs the kitchen itself. The names are clipped, but the structure behind them is precise. The dining room extends that same logic into space. At roots, the room does not sit apart from the kitchen’s thinking; it carries it forward. What is plated, what is seen, and what is understood all come from the same disciplined frame.
Signature
Pascal's signature dishes include Gurke | Felchen | Meerrettich, Fave Bohnen | Eierschwämmli | Zander, Kürbis | Wels, and Federkohl | Schalotte | Ente. Read together, they show a kitchen working from ingredients outward, with each plate built to keep the terms clear. The style is compact, composed, and specific about what each element is doing.
Recognition
Pascal's honors include 2 Michelin stars, Green Michelin star, and 18 GaultMillau points. The record places the work at roots in a high standard framework, with recognition that matches the consistency of the kitchen since 2017.
Profile updated July 2026
FAQ
Asked of Pascal
What is Pascal Steffen's current role?
Pascal Steffen is Head Chef.
What recognition has Pascal Steffen received?
2 Michelin stars.
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