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Tom Van Lente led TWO to success in a location that multiple restaurants failed since opening in July 2012, but on Sunday night, after the restaurant's latest "seasonal slam" event, Van Lente led his last service as executive chef. Chef de cuisine Kevin Cuddihee, who has been on staff since opening, is the new man in charge of the kitchen, effective immediately.
Van Lente says in an email that he "left on a high note with no regrets." But is he taking his experience to a new gig or perhaps his own restaurant? "I have a few irons in the fire but nothing to report just yet," he says. Stay tuned.
Don't expect Cuddihee, a former private chef and Alinea extern, to implement major conceptual changes at Bib Gourmand-honored TWO. He is planning a menu change in late February—which is partly seasonal—but will stay within the restaurant's current "butcher shop-inspired" local and seasonal mission.
