More Than Just a Celebrity Daughter
Most people know Susan Anne Povich as the daughter of daytime TV legend Maury Povich. But that’s where the simple story ends and the fascinating one begins.
Born in 1963, Susan has built something remarkable. She walked away from a prestigious legal career to become one of Brooklyn’s most celebrated restaurateurs. Her journey defies every expectation about celebrity children.
This isn’t your typical “famous parent, famous kid” narrative. Susan Anne Povich created her own success story, one lobster roll at a time.
Early Life and Family Background
Susan grew up watching her father build his television empire. The Povich household wasn’t your average celebrity family, though. Maury and his first wife, Phyllis Minkoff, kept their daughters grounded.
Education came first in the Povich home. Susan learned early that fame meant nothing without substance behind it. Her parents pushed her to excel academically, never letting her coast on the family name.
The values stuck. Susan would later apply the same work ethic to everything she touched, from law school to lobster shacks.
Academic Excellence and Legal Career
Harvard Law School Achievement
Susan’s path to Harvard wasn’t handed to her. She earned her spot at the University of Michigan first, where professors noticed her sharp analytical mind. Her undergraduate work opened doors, but she still had to prove herself.
Harvard Law School doesn’t care whose daughter you are. The competition is brutal, the workload crushing. Susan not only survived but thrived in that environment.
Her Harvard degree meant something special to her. It proved she could succeed on merit alone, separate from any family connections.
Corporate Law Practice in New York
Fresh out of Harvard, Susan landed at a top-tier New York law firm. The 1990s were an exciting time for tech and music law, her chosen specialties. Internet companies were exploding, and entertainment law was evolving rapidly.
Susan handled complex deals and navigated cutting-edge legal territory. Her clients included innovative startups and established entertainment companies. The work was intellectually stimulating and financially rewarding.
But something felt off. After 18 months of 80-hour weeks and high-stakes negotiations, Susan started questioning her path. The money was great, but the satisfaction wasn’t there.
The Bold Career Transformation
From Courtroom to Kitchen
Walking away from a successful legal career takes guts. Susan had invested years in her education and was building an impressive resume. Friends thought she’d lost her mind.
Cooking had always been her escape from the pressure of legal work. What started as stress relief gradually became a passion. Susan realized she felt more alive in the kitchen than she ever had in a courtroom.
The French Culinary Institute became her next classroom. Trading legal briefs for chef’s knives wasn’t easy, but Susan Anne Povich has never been one to take the easy path.
Culinary Training and Restaurant Experience
Culinary school revealed talents Susan didn’t know she possessed. The precision required in professional cooking appealed to her legal training, but with a creative element that energized her completely.
She worked her way through several of New York’s finest restaurants after graduation. These weren’t glamorous positions – she started at the bottom, learning every aspect of restaurant operations.
The restaurant industry proved just as demanding as law, but in ways that felt meaningful. Susan was creating something people could taste, enjoy, and remember.
Building the Red Hook Lobster Empire
The Birth of Red Hook Lobster Pound
The idea came during a simple dinner in 2008. Susan and her husband Ralph Gorham were enjoying lobsters they’d brought back from Maine. The recession was hitting hard, but Ralph had a crazy suggestion.
“Let’s open up a Lobster Pound!” he said over dinner. Most couples would have laughed it off. Susan and Ralph started planning.
They already owned a storefront in Red Hook, Brooklyn. The neighborhood was rough around the edges but had character. Susan’s Maine connections meant they could source the best lobsters available.
From Small Shack to Brooklyn Institution
Red Hook Lobster Pound opened in April 2009 with five tables and big dreams. Word spread quickly about the authentic Maine lobster rolls being served in an unlikely Brooklyn location.
Susan and Ralph didn’t just copy Maine lobster shacks – they studied what made them special. They built relationships with Maine lobstermen who became partners, not just suppliers.
The Red Hook neighborhood embraced them. Like Maine fishing communities, Red Hook residents appreciated authenticity and quality over flash and marketing.
Business Success and Recognition
Award-Winning Food Truck “Big Red”
By 2011, demand outgrew their small restaurant. Susan and Ralph launched “Big Red,” a food truck that brought Maine lobster to different parts of New York City.
The truck became a fixture at Brooklyn Flea and Smorgasburg markets. Susan Anne Povich was among the first vendors at these now-famous food destinations.
In 2013, The Daily Meal named Big Red the “Best Food Truck in America.” Out of 400 trucks nationwide, theirs won. The recognition validated everything Susan believed about quality over gimmicks.
Expansion and Growth
Success brought opportunities to expand. Susan and Ralph opened in Manhattan’s Urbanspace Vanderbilt, bringing lobster rolls to Midtown office workers.
They also launched Rockaway Clam Bar, a seasonal operation at Jacob Riis Beach. Each expansion was carefully planned, never sacrificing quality for growth.
Susan’s legal background helped her navigate business challenges that sink many restaurants. She understood contracts, regulations, and risk management in ways most chefs don’t.
Personal Life and Family Values
Marriage and Motherhood
Susan married Ralph Winthrop Gorham in 1998 at her father’s Manhattan apartment. Their wedding was intimate, reflecting their preference for substance over spectacle.
Their children, Jesse and Charley, grew up in the restaurant business. Both kids learned to work alongside their parents, understanding that success requires everyone’s contribution.
The family business model works because everyone shares the same values. Susan Anne Povich created something her children could be proud to inherit.
Balancing Career and Family
Susan never bought into the myth that successful women must choose between career and family. She built a business that included her family rather than excluding them.
Customers often find the whole family working together at Red Hook Lobster Pound. Susan might be building lobster rolls while Ralph handles the register and the kids help seat customers.
This hands-on approach creates an atmosphere that chain restaurants can’t replicate. People remember eating at a place where the owner’s family served them personally.
Legacy and Impact
Susan Anne Povich proves that celebrity children don’t have to live in their parents’ shadows. She built something entirely her own while honoring the values her family taught her.
Her story inspires professionals stuck in unfulfilling careers. Susan shows that it’s never too late to pursue your authentic interests, even if they lead somewhere completely unexpected.
Most importantly, she demonstrates that success comes in many forms. Susan Anne Povich may not be as famous as her father, but she’s built something that brings joy to thousands of people every year.
When people think of Susan Anne Povich today, they think of exceptional lobster rolls and a woman who had the courage to follow her passion. That’s a legacy worth building, one customer at a time.
