Chef Priya Desai will step down as executive chef at Midtown Bistro on July 31. Chef Alex Kim will begin as her replacement in August 2024.

Chef Priya Desai’s three-year tenure at Midtown Bistro will conclude at the end of July 2024. Desai’s decision to depart was formally announced by the restaurant on June 24. Representatives have stated that the transition will not affect the restaurant’s operating hours.

Midtown Bistro is a French-American restaurant near Turtle Bay. Since joining in 2021, Priya Desai introduced several new seasonal dishes and oversaw changes to the restaurant’s tasting menu. Her departure marks the restaurant’s first major leadership change since 2019.

Chef Alex Kim will take over as executive chef beginning August 1, 2024. Kim previously led the kitchen at Eastwood, a Lower East Side bistro. Restaurant management has indicated that Kim plans to maintain Midtown Bistro’s current menu while introducing some new items over time.

Neither Priya Desai nor Midtown Bistro have disclosed Desai’s future plans. Further announcements about upcoming menu changes or special events are expected in late July.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is Chef Priya Desai leaving Midtown Bistro?

Midtown Bistro has not provided a specific reason for Chef Priya Desai’s departure. The restaurant’s statement simply confirmed her last day as July 31, 2024. No statements regarding her future professional plans have been released by Desai or her representatives.

Who is replacing Chef Priya Desai, and when will they start?

Chef Alex Kim will replace Priya Desai as executive chef starting August 1, 2024. Kim previously worked at Eastwood on the Lower East Side and is expected to continue Midtown Bistro’s current style of cuisine while introducing some of his own dishes gradually.

Will Midtown Bistro’s hours or menu change with the new chef?

The restaurant has stated that its operating hours will remain unchanged during the transition. While Alex Kim may add new menu items in the future, no immediate changes to the menu have been announced. Additional updates are expected in late July or early August.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is Chef Priya Desai leaving Midtown Bistro?

Midtown Bistro has not provided a specific reason for Chef Priya Desai’s departure, and no statements regarding her future professional plans have been released.

Who is replacing Chef Priya Desai at Midtown Bistro?

Chef Alex Kim, formerly of Eastwood, will replace Priya Desai as executive chef starting August 1, 2024.

When is Chef Priya Desai’s last day at Midtown Bistro?

Chef Priya Desai’s last day as executive chef at Midtown Bistro is July 31, 2024.

Will Midtown Bistro’s hours change after the new chef takes over?

The restaurant has stated that its operating hours will remain unchanged during the leadership transition.

Will Midtown Bistro’s menu change with Chef Alex Kim?

No immediate changes to the menu have been announced, but Chef Alex Kim may introduce new items over time.

Editorial Transparency. A first draft of this story was produced with AI-assisted writing tools, then reviewed for accuracy and tone by the named editor before publication. More on our process: Editorial Policy.