Only a few months after NoMI Executive Sous Chef Christian Ragano packed up his knives to head to New York, Chicago Mag is reporting that Executive Chef Christophe David is taking off too. After five years heading the kitchen at NoMI, David is following his girlfriend to Lausanne, Switzerland, where she recently accepted a position at a hospitality management school.
Before taking over NoMI's kitchen in 2005, David built an impressive resume in the kitchens of Michelin-rated restaurants like Lucas Carton and Taillevent. A native of Lyon, France, David says the move will also bring him closer to his family: "My parents are in Lyon, [France]," David tells Chicago Mag. "I’m sure I will find a job. Tough decision. Still, I need a break, too.”
No word yet on who will be taking over, but now that he and Ragano are out, that leaves rising star Ryan LaRoche in the kitchen. A young chef backed by skills from places like Tru and DeLaCosta, LaRoche was recently pinned Best New Chef by CS Magazine, which makes us wonder if he'll succeed David. In the meantime, you can catch David's menu until his last day on August 14. [Chicago Mag]
