ADAM STEELY

Not many careers find their start in old movies, but it is possible that watching Casablanca at age 13 set Adam on the path he still follows today. It was immediately apparent to him that "Rick" had the best job in the world. While some years would pass before he would achieve that goal, Adam was convinced he had found his calling.

Growing up in Virginia, Adam attended Woodberry Forest School and the University of Virginia, graduating in 1984.

While still in college, Adam took a position at The Boar's Head Inn, where he became a serious student of wine. He subsequently ran the wine program there from 1984 to 1988, transforming the wine list to become one of the most well-regarded in Virginia. In 1984, in addition to his position at The Boar's Head, Adam opened a retail wine shop in Charlottesville.

Ready for a change of climate, Adam moved to St. Augustine, Florida, to take the position of Sommelier for the Ponte Vedra Inn and Club. During his tenure there, he was introduced, through a mutual friend, to Chef Jimmy Sneed. A strong friendship followed, and Adam left Florida to manage Windows on Urbanna Creek for Chef Sneed. While gaining valuable management experience, Adam also maintained the wine program, featuring exclusively American wines.

In 1993, the two opened The Frog and the Redneck in Richmond, Va., to rave reviews. Named by Esquire as one of the 10 Best New Restaurants in America, the restaurant was well received by both the public and the press. Featuring an upscale, bistro ambience and high-quality, product oriented menus, the restaurant quickly earned a national reputation. Following the theme of the restaurant, the wine list was comprised of 250 wines, both from France and America.

Adam's next move took him to The Dining Room at Ford's Colony. As the Restaurant Manager, Adam was responsible for hiring and training the staffs in three restaurants and the banquet department. In addition, he took over the direction of the extensive wine program of The Dining Room. From 2000 until 2003, Adam expanded the selections to more than 1,400 wines, offering in-depth selections from around the world. His efforts were recognized by The National Restaurant Association in its inaugural wine list competition, citing the wine list as the best of any club in the United States.

In 1995, while still in Richmond, Adam met and married Dyana McGlothlin, and together they have one daughter.

HONORS AND ACTIVITIES

2003: Best Wine List in America, National Restaurant Association
2003: Silver Medal, Best Wine Lists in America, Restaurant Hospitality Magazine
2000 - 2003: Best of Award of Excellence, Wine Spectator Magazine
2000 - 2003: AAA Five Diamond Award
2002: Make a Wish Fund-Raiser Dinner, Williamsburg, VA
1997 - 2003: DiRoNA Award Recipient
1993 - 2003: Judge of Virginia State Wine Competition
1998: Fund-Raiser for SMA, "Andrew's Buddies"
1997: Seminar on Service Excellence, American Express
1993 - 1997: Celebrity Guest Chef Dinners at The Frog and the Redneck
(Jean Louis Palladin, Roberto Donna, Cal Stamenov, Patrick Clark, Larbi Daroush
1996: Fund-Raiser for 1996 U.S. Olympic Team
1993 2000: Award of Excellence, Wine Spectator Magazine
1995: Dinner with Julia Child to Benefit PBS
1996: Fund-Raiser for NJ Rape Crisis Center, The Ryland Inn
1994: Fund-Raiser for DC Rape Crisis Center
1993 - 1997: Fund-Raiser for American Cancer Society
1993 - 1997: Critics Picks, Best Restaurants in Richmond, Style Magazine
1993: Best New Restaurant, Esquire Magazine