Michelle Garcia Lands at E. Leaven

This is certainly a day for strange chef shuffles. Earlier today it was rumored that Andrew Brochu is landing at Uberstein, and now Michelle Garcia is taking the helm as head baker at fast casual E. leaven of all places. Garcia, who shuttered her vegan-focused bakery Bleeding Heart, which she owned with her husband Vinny ensued a dramatic year, splitting from partners Scott Weiner and Greg Mohr at Bleeding Heart Bakery & Cafe in West Town (now West Town Bakery) after claiming that the West town location "killed their business." After that they closed their Oak Park location, finally shuttering all locations in August.

So why E. Leaven? According to Garcia, "With everything made in-house daily, E.leaven already has a product I believe in. I'm thrilled about this opportunity to share what I do best with the company and Chicagoans – create memorable confections – and hope to elevate the city's go-to spot for fresh pastries and breads."

Garcia will debut new pastries like peanut butter and jelly brownie sandwiches, caramel and coffee eclairs and gingerbread and lingonberry doughnuts. She will also prepare more specialty cakes for the restaurant.

No word as to what husband Vinny is doing these days.

· All Michelle Garcia Coverage [-EChi-]
· Andrew Brochu Said to be IN at Revamped Uberstein [-EChi]