Chef Adrienne Cheatham

Chef Adrienne Cheatham, based in New York, NY, grew up in the kitchens and dining rooms of the restaurants her mother managed in Chicago, Illinois. As a child, she would help with various restaurant tasks, such as busing tables, running food, and washing dishes, once her homework was completed. At the insistence of her parents, she initially pursued higher education at Florida A&M University in Tallahassee, Florida, where she studied business and journalism before realizing her true calling — the culinary world.

During her college years, Cheatham catered events on campus and within the local community, but her aspiration was to return to the restaurant industry. After graduating Magna Cum Laude, she began working as a line cook at a bustling seafood restaurant in Orlando. To gain a wider understanding of the kitchen operations, she then worked in pastry production at the Sandestin Resort on the Gulf of Mexico. Her curiosity and culinary ambition led her to New York City where she took up bartending at night while working for free during the day for various chefs around the city. Eager to broaden her skills, she enrolled in classes at the Institute of Culinary Education (ICE). Cheatham was eventually referred to the kitchen at Le Bernardin where she started as a commis. Over eight years at this three-Michelin star restaurant, she worked her way up the ranks, ultimately becoming the Executive Sous Chef. During her tenure, she also collaborated with Chef Eric Ripert on his cookbook and PBS show "Avec Eric," assisting in testing and editing recipes.

In 2014, Cheatham was instrumental in the planning and opening of the restaurant’s Aldo Sohm Wine Bar and private dining restaurant, Privé. Following this, she took her culinary expertise to the Marcus Samuelsson Group as the Chef de Cuisine. She played an important role in opening Streetbird, which received a Bib Gourmand from the Michelin Guide, and later Marcus’ Bermuda. Her culinary acumen led to her promotion as the Executive Chef at Red Rooster in Harlem. When compiling "The Red Rooster Cookbook," Marcus Samuelsson entrusted Cheatham with testing, editing and styling the dishes for the book's photography.

As part of her diverse culinary career, Cheatham competed in season 15 of "Top Chef," impressively reaching the finale and finishing second. She has spoken at events such as the Cherry Bombe Magazine’s annual Jubilee festival and featured in a New York Times documentary series titled “Tastemakers.” With a passion for nutrition, she collaborates with Schwan’s as part of the Chef’s Collective, developing healthy food options for school lunch programs. Cheatham's work has been featured in various media outlets including Food & Wine, US Weekly, Sports Illustrated online, People, Grubstreet, Eater, AM New York, among others.

Presently, Cheatham is exploring opportunities to open her own restaurant in Harlem, NYC. Apart from her professional life, she shares a home in Harlem with her best friend and husband, Stephen Bailey. She is also the founder of SundayBest, a pop-up series held in secret locations around Harlem.