Exits

Chef James Gray Leaving Fritz Pastry; Owner Vows Same Desserts, Better Coffee

James Gray, who joined Fritz Pastry as chef when founder Nate Meads (now at Nellcôte) sold it to Wormhole Coffee owner Travis Schaffner, is leaving the Lakeview bakery. We (and other food bloggers) were tipped off with a rumor that Gray had walked out due to creative/business differences; this has been denied by all concerned, including Gray when he picked up the phone at… Fritz Pastry. He and a representative both confirm that he is leaving by the end of the month, but says that it is an amicable split. (This story has been changed since first posted, more to come in that regard.)

According to the representative, Schaffner “is planning on spending the summer evolving Fritz Pastry’s coffee program and making the spot as committed to coffee culture as it always has been to great pastries.” Most of the pastries will continue to be offered during the transition, although macarons have been discontinued for the time being, and lunch/savory offerings have also been pared down for now. However, Schaffner did just purchase a new dough sheeter to help expand croissant production, and there will be “guest chef” items as well (as there apparently already are). Schaffner, according to the representative, says: “What’s most important to us is that the neighborhood can continue to count on us for a nostalgic, good-humored time, along with the Fritz Pastry ‘mainstay’ edibles coupled with the upcoming & uber-perfected Wormhole-based coffee program.”

Chef James Gray Leaving Fritz Pastry; Owner Vows Same Desserts, Better Coffee