BIO
Now arriving full circle, this chef was a misfit long before the thought of naming the restaurant. Young and brash, Bruce was the son of a New Jersey music teacher that discovered his musical talents at the age of seven with an old, beat up Sears guitar. Soon after, a teenager living the life of a rock star, his band opened for Meatloaf at the height of Meatloaf’s career. Bruce was still not of legal age to drink or work. His mother famously warned him and his brother (the drummer), “Boys, Sex, Drugs, and Rock N Roll? You may only do the third!”
When the need for employment arrived, he began cooking at a local pizzeria owned by a family friend. Working his way up and through the restaurant hierarchy over the next several years, things became serious when Bruce discovered that his true talent was found in the kitchen rather than the concert hall.
Following an extended internship in Chicago and New York City, Kalman landed a position as Sous Chef at Paul Bartolotta’s acclaimed Spiaggia in Chicago. He then joined Chef David Burke for the opening of park Avenue Café, as Chef Tournant. Future stints included time with Okno and Coco Pazzo Restaurants in Chicago, and il Piatto in Santa Fe
Recognized by the James Beard Foundation with a nomination for Rising Star Chef Midwest, kalman introduced himself to LGO owner Bob Lynn, following one dinner in Lynn’s Phoenix restaurant. He tracked Lynn down, contacted him and proclaimed, “This is where I should be.” Lynn agreed, and was quoted as adding, “My god! He’s a pitbull with a spatula!”
Chef Kalman now serves as opening Executive Chef for The Misfit in Santa Monica. Mere steps from the famed Santa Monica Farmer’s Market where he plans his menus – specifically the 5 to 6 fresh vegetable offerings he creates each day, determined entirely by what is available at the market and whatever catches his eye. Although his menus change as often as four times per week, as the market dictates, there is no Meatloaf on his menu (yet!).
