We had word this week from restaurateur Gigi Huang that there’s been a major chef turnover at her Gigi’s Asian Bistro & Dumpling Bar (5085 Westheimer in The Galleria). “After a successful three-year collaboration, executive chef Junnajet Hurapan is taking time off and exploring other opportunities outside of Houston. I wish him the best and remain confident that Gigi’s will continue to evolve and flourish in new and exciting ways.” Chef Jet’s wife, the restaurant’s pastry chef Jiraporn Hurapan, is also departing.
In a statement from the management of Hotel Icon regarding the hotel’s revamped and as-yet-unnamed restaurant, this development: “With chef Greg Lowry’s recent departure, David Luna, most recently the executive chef of Flora & Muse and formerly of Canopy and Shade, has been hired to serve as the interim chef. There has not been a final determination if he will be the executive chef of the new restaurant at Hotel Icon.”
Congratulations to brothers David and Sylvain Denis, whose Le Mistral French restaurant (1400 Eldridge) celebrates its 10th anniversary on September 30 with a special dinner. As part of the celebration leading up the actual anniversary, the brothers are donating a portion of the proceeds from their September tasting menu to the Houston Food Bank. Interesting trivia note: David Denis (the chef half of the fraternal duo) came to Houston as a private chef for a local family. “At times, the job was extremely challenging,” he recalled, “since I traveled around the world with them and was expected to prepare elaborate meals, sometimes at the last minute. However, I was always up for the challenge, really enjoyed the experience, fell in love with Houston, as well as my future bride.”
Lynette Hawkins, owner and executive chef of Giacomo’s Cibo e Vino (3215 Westheimer) will host a six-course wine dinner to celebrate her second anniversary 5 to 9 pm on Thursday, September 8. The cost is $55 for six courses with wine pairing, or $33 for food only. For reservations or more details visit giacomosciboevino.com or call 713-522-1934.
After a short summer break, the popular City Hall Farmers’ Market, which is set up around the reflecting pool at Houston’s City Hall (901 Bagby), crops up again next Wednesday, September 7. As before, market hours are 11 am to 2 pm. Both Rebecca Masson (Fluff Bake Bar) and Jamie Zelko (Zelko Bistro) will be prepping live and giving out samples to market-goers.
On the drawing board: Cerberus Restaurant Group has leased 4,320 square feet for a tapas restaurant named Convivio at 700 Durham, where Table Seven was previously located. Snap Kitchen has leased 1,420 square feet at 5710 Memorial for a second Houston location; the other location is on the corner of Kirby and Richmond.
Houstonian Gracie Cavnar, founder of Recipe For Success, is one of five women profiled in the 4th Annual Self Magazine “Women Doing Good” article in the September 2011 issue. Congrats to Recipe For Success and to Gracie!