Born and raised in northern New Jersey, Bruce Kalman is a James Beard-nominated chef and co-owner of Knead & Co. Pasta Bar + Market in downtown Los Angeles as well as the chef-founder behind BK Brinery, his artisanal pickle company. He began his career at a local pizzeria in New Jersey, and later attended a small hand's on culinary program at Hudson County Community College in Jersey City, NJ.
After school, Bruce cooked with Paul Bartolotta at Spiaggia in Chicago and from there headed back to New York for an opportunity to work with David Burke at Park Ave Cafe. From there, Bruce went on to become the executive chef at Okno, Green Dolphin Street and Coco Pazzo. He eventually left the city and took on executive chef stints in Santa Fe (Il Piatto) and Phoenix (Chelsea’s Kitchen) before making a move to Los Angeles to open The Misfit in Santa Monica. At The Misfit, Kalman served farmer’s market-driven fare, with a strong emphasis on Northern Italian and Mediterranean flavors and preparations. He continued this tradition of handcrafted cuisine as executive chef of The Churchill in West Hollywood. From there he became the co-owner and chef of the award-winning Union in Pasadena before opening Knead & Co. Pasta Bar + Market. He has since departed from his LA projects and followed opportunity to Las Vegas, NV, where he plans to open Soulbelly BBQ in the Spring of 2021 with partner Richard Camarota. Chef Bruce has become a sought after collaborative chef-partner for California’s Sunkist Growers, as well as Creekstone Farms, building content and educating consumers.
Chef Kalman has appeared on Bravo’s Top Chef Season 15, Viceland’s Untitled Action Bronson Show, Food Network's Chopped and Beat Bobby Flay, Esquire Network's Knife Fight, and Bravo's Best New Restaurant, as well as national shows like CBS’s The Talk, Last Call with Carson Daly, The Harry Connick Jr Show and Hallmark Channel’s Home & Family.
In his spare time, Chef Kalman is the frontman for the chef cover band, Foie Grock, with fellow chef Duff Goldman.