Ben Roche, who opened Baume & Brix alongside moto and iNG alums Thomas Elliot Bowman and Nate Park, departed his position as executive chef. He did not leave because of creative differences or a new project. He left because he had not seen a consistent paycheck in two months. After shaky opening reviews, the chef helped deliver creative cuisine with a hint of molecular gastronomy. But once issues in the kitchen were resolved, problems shifted to management.
Roche told Eater about some red flags that led to his decision to leave the restaurant. “We had equipment, coolers that needed to be fixed, that never got fixed and still are broken,” he said. “All of a sudden purveyors aren't getting paid, we're not allowed to hire any more staff, things that we're told are going to happen don't happen and the next thing you know the chefs aren't getting paid.” Roche’s last night of service was Friday, Bowman and Park will continue to cook at the restaurant, while Roche focuses on his recently launched line of gelato at J.P. Graziano’s.
In less dramatic news, Amanda Rockman will run the pasty program at Paul Kahan and One Off Hospitality’s latest project, Nico. Rockman has been biding her time at L2O after departing as pastry chef of The Bristol and Balena. By the end of summer, she will start working at the Thompson Hotel and prepare for Nico’s, located inside the hotel, November opening. According to Eater, her polished-casual Italian desserts will include caramel, coffee and caffe dulce; walnut tart; and traditional flavors of gelato.