Chef Shuffles

Remi Lauvand Out of Cafe Pierre, In At Downtown’s New Leka

Lauvand
Lauvand

Last week, blogger Brigham Yen readied Downtown for the August opening of Leka, a project under construction for nearly two years, with skewed signage that we were really hoping read: “Kale.” In Yen’s report, he mentioned the restaurant’s chef with the single name of “Remi,” raising our hackles that it just might be French chef Remi Lauvand, the skilled executive chef at Cafe Pierre who formerly held that title at Bacara Resort in Santa Barbara, New York’s Montrachet, and Michel Richard’s Citrus.

Today, L.A. Downtown News reports that is indeed Lauvand who will take the executive spot in Leka’s kitchen, overseeing a menu of steaks, seafood, and tapas when the restaurant opens its doors next month. Leka comes from Michael Kwan, the owner of the Wokcano chain.

While neither Leka nor Lauvand are yet to confirm the chef’s appointment, a manager at Cafe Pierre tells Grub Street that he is no longer cooking at the Manhattan Beach restaurant, with the chef’s own LinkedIn profile suggesting he bailed the beach back in May.

Leka, 800 W 6th St. Downtown.

Open Wide [LADTN]

Remi Lauvand Out of Cafe Pierre, In At Downtown’s New Leka