Pascere restaurant, set to open in Brighton this summer, has announced the departure of chef Tom Griffiths ahead of opening.
The 30-cover restaurant, owned by Platinum Business magazine food and drink editor Amanda Menahem, was set to open with the former Flank chef at the helm.
However, a spokesperson for the restaurant said Griffiths and Pascere's owners decided that "the partnership isn't quite the right fit for this venture", however they "hope to work together on another project in the future" and "Pascere wishes Tom all the best in his next ventures".
Johnny Stanford, previously senior sous chef at the three-AA-starred Pass restaurant at the South Lodge hotel in Horsham, Sussex, who has been working on menu development with Griffiths, has been appointed to run the kitchen.
Stanford said: "I'm really excited about the opportunity to create something exceptional. The Brighton food scene is evolving so rapidly and I look forward to being a part of this emerging culture and embracing everything the city has to offer."
Tom Griffiths to head new restaurant Pascere in Brighton >>
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