True Food Kitchen, part of Fox Restaurants Concepts’ portfolio, has named Arik Markus brand chef.
Markus replaces Michael Stebner, who joined Washington, D.C.-based salad chain Sweetgreen in May, according to LinkedIn. Stebner was the opening chef of True Food Kitchen, when the concept debuted in 2008.
Markus is responsible for culinary operations at all of the Phoenix-based chain’s 10 restaurants.
“Chef Arik is a natural fit for True Food Kitchen and a welcomed addition to our team,” Fox Restaurant Concepts founder Sam Fox said in a press release. “His extensive knowledge and rooted passion for sustainable practices, sourcing and education for guests perfectly align with our mission and core values.”
True Food Kitchen’s menu is based on the nutritional principals of Andrew Weil’s anti-inflammatory diet, with a focus on whole grains, vegetables and lean meat. It won a Nation’s Restaurant News Hot Concepts award in 2011, and won NRN’s MenuMasters Trendsetter award in 2014.
“This new role is really an extension of the lifestyle my family and I live,” Markus said in the release. “Not only am I thrilled to join an amazing team of equally passionate people, I am interested in being a part of a positive change to the way people think of healthy food.”
Markus got his start in fine dining about 20 years ago in New York, where he worked at Daniel and Le Bernardin. Most recently, he ran a restaurant consultancy in Boulder, Colo. Before that, he was culinary director for Zeal, a health-focused restaurant and cold-pressed juice bar in Boulder.
This story has been revised to reflect the following correction:
Correction: Oct. 22, 2014 An earlier version of this story misstated Arik Markus' work history. He has worked at both Daniel and Le Bernardin.
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