A look at recent job changes from chefs across the nation:
Charlie Trotter’s veteran Justin Cogley is the new chef de cuisine of Aubergine in Carmel, Calif., replacing executive chef Christophe Grosjean, who has returned to France. Cogley spent four years working at Charlie Trotter’s in Chicago, the last two as chef de cuisine. Most recently he was executive sous chef at the Elysian Hotel, also in Chicago.
Aramark has hired Bryan Caswell, who was named one of the country’s 10 “Best New Chefs” by Food & Wine magazine in 2009, to consult on the foodservice at Minute Maid Park, home of the Houston Astros professional baseball team. Caswell operates Reef, Stella Sola, Little Bigs and El Real Tex Mex, all in Houston. A Little Bigs concession stand, featuring the restaurant’s signature hamburgers and chicken sandwiches, is planned for Section 111 in the stadium’s main concourse. Caswell also will consult with Minute Maid Park executive chef Jason Kohler on the menus at the ballpark’s catering, suites and club levels.
Bill Erath has been hired as executive chef and partner for a Seasons 52 restaurant slated to open March 7 in Indianapolis. Most recently, he was executive chef of Weber Grill in Indianapolis. Clifford Pleau, senior culinary director for the chain, which is owned by Orlando, Fla.-based Darden Restaurants Inc., said Erath’s “expertise and familiarity with the Indianapolis restaurant scene will be invaluable as we introduce ourselves to this new market.” The Indianapolis location will be the 16th unit for the chain, which features seasonally changing items, each containing 475 calories or fewer. The restaurant will have 300 seats in the main dining area and the piano bar, which will feature live music every night. It also will have two private dining rooms and an exclusive “Chef’s Table.”
Contact Bret Thorn at [email protected].