Chefs English and Hazen to develop restaurants togetherChefs English and Hazen to develop restaurants together

BOSTON Todd English has partnered with Sam Hazen, former chef-operator of the upscale Tao restaurants in New York and Las Vegas, to create concepts and culinary developments for Todd English Enterprises, the celebrity chef’s restaurant company.

Aspokeswoman for English said the two inked the deal on June 19.

“Todd and Sam are going to be partnering on upcoming projects though they don’t have any [planned] yet,” she said. “They’re going to look at a lot of options; there are already a couple of opportunities.”

She added that the two chefs would “jointly look at everything presented to them,” and that Hazen probably would “weigh the pros and cons to see which ones make the most sense financially.”

English and Hazen, both graduates of the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, N.Y., began their culinary careers together under the tutelage of chef Jean-Jacques Rachou at La Cote Basque in New York.

Since then English has gone on to turn his upscale Olives concept into a national chain, authored several cookbooks and starred in a number of culinary-based television shows, including Iron Chef. In March, he opened his most recent concept, Beso, an upscale Mexican restaurant in Los Angeles, with actress Eva Longoria Parker.

Hazen has spent his career working at such restaurants as Tavern on the Green, Rue 57 and Cascabel. He also has taught at the CIA.