Executive Chef Danny Grant Out at 50 Eggs

Danny Grant is out at 50 Eggs. The Miami restaurant rumor mill has been working overtime for the past few weeks with the mumblings that Grant had parted ways with 50 Eggs, and today New Times received confirmation that the rumor is true.

Grant was hired as executive chef at 50 Eggs in October 2014 and tasked with overseeing two new concepts. One of them was the new BTW that recently opened at CEO John Kunkel's former Lime space on Alton Road.

Although a reason wasn't given as to why Grant decided to leave after less than six months, a representative for the restaurant group confirmed the departure, simply saying, "Yes, we can confirm Danny is no longer with 50 Eggs. We wish him well, and know he will be successful wherever he lands."

Grant moved to Miami in 2013 to open 1826 on South Beach to much buzz. The young chef came from Chicago, where he earned two Michelin stars for his restaurant Ria. The chef was also named one of Food & Wine's Best New Chefs in 2012.

When Grant opened 1826, a tony restaurant with an upscale lounge, he told New Times that his dishes were inspired by his new South Florida home. "The Miami environment has been an essential tool in prompting the creativity for my cuisine. I feel lucky that I've been able to enjoy Miami and all of the great seasonal ingredients it has to offer." The Long Island native was classically trained in French cuisine and 1826 reflected this formal training with his impeccable plates. 

Grant abruptly left the restaurant he opened less than a year later to accept his executive chef position at 50 Eggs. No word yet where Grant is moving to or whether the chef will stay in Miami. Grant's Twitter account still states he works at 50 Eggs.

The restaurant group which owns Swine, Yardbird, Khong, BTW, and Yardbird in Las Vegas has no trouble attracting chefs into the fold, but the challenge seems to be keeping the talent. In the past, Jeff McInnis left his chef/partner position at Yardbird to open Root & Bone in New York City; Kenny Gilbert, who was hired as a chef/adviser at Swine, departed the ranks before the restaurant even opened; and Piyarat Potha Arreeratn, known as Chef Bee, departed Khong River House in what became a public feud between himself and Kunkel. Chef Bee returned to his family's Oishi Thai and will open  NaiYaRa in Sunset Harbour in late spring.