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Michael White on His Departed Pastry Chef: “He Was a Jerk.”

It takes a lot to make Mike White mad.
It takes a lot to make Mike White mad.haha Photo: Patrick McMullan

Restaurant Girl reported pastry chef Tim Butler’s departure from Alto and L’Impero yesterday, not long after chef Michael White found out himself. “He just told me on Friday and only told Restaurant Girl to stick it to me,” White says. The two had sparred over what White calls Butler’s refusal to use Italian ingredients and flavors in his desserts. “I asked him over and over again — use a little hazelnut or some Gianduja chocolate — but he totally refused. Then he told me he wasn’t coming in anymore. I’m the easiest guy to work for in the world! But this guy really was a jerk.” Chef de cuisine Kevin Sippel is also leaving White but had given notice several months ago for family reasons. White expects to name a new pastry chef soon — we’ll let you know when he does.

Creative Differences at L’Impero and Alto [Restaurant Girl]

Michael White on His Departed Pastry Chef: “He Was a Jerk.”