WEST LOOP—More change is afoot at Graham Elliot's sole remaining restaurant. Chef de cuisine Vinny Alterio, who took over the kitchen from opening chef Jacob Saben six months ago alongside new management, is exiting Graham Elliot Bistro at the end of the month. Elliot says that Nick Bajal (Atwood) will replace him on October 1.
Alterio, a 12-year kitchen vet, says it was "a beautiful opportunity" to work at the bistro and that he "likes Graham a lot," but also says "there's an element to what's going on here and I can't put my finger on it."
Elliot, in a statement, says "we appreciate everything that Vinny Alterio has brought to the table here at the Bistro over the past six months and wish him success on his future endeavors." He'll launch a new menu next month that features more G.E. classics.
MILLENNIUM PARK—Jared Case left his position overseeing Prasino restaurants (which closed two locations this year) in August and has landed at Park Grill (a restaurant with its own troubles currently) as its executive chef. Case, who has spent a great deal of time cooking in Chicago (Red Light, Marche, East Bank Club, Tribute), will soon be participating in an eight-day culinary tour that will be filmed for the TV show "Taste Taiwan" (airing in 2015 here in the states). Case replaces Gil Langlois at Park Grill. [EaterWire]
RIVER NORTH—Michael McDonald has replaced Mike Hernandez as executive chef at Zed451, Crain's reports. McDonald, who had been consulting at Rockit Ranch, was previously the executive chef at Luxbar, and at One Sixty Blue (which is now BellyQ) before that. Expect a new menu at Zed451 from McDonald by the end of the month. [Crain's]
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—Brett Hickman contributed to this story.