3 Chef Shuffle: DeBarr to Houston? Pedersen Out at Sorrel; Sheely Hires Paul Lewis

Mockingbird Bistro chef/owner John Sheely has hired Paul K Lewis to be the executive chef of his Italian restaurant Osteria Mazzantini. Lewis has worked at various hotels in the Four Seasons empire and was most recently with Cullen's in Clear Lake. In a press release, Lewis says "seasonality is a huge part of my world ... I can use the knowledge and experiences from my world travels to create simple presentations with super flavors." Look for Osteria Mazzantini to open in August.

Meanwhile, Soren Pedersen issued a press release to announce his departure from Sorrel Urban Bistro, "as a result of a difference in vision for the future of the restaurant." Pedersen will be "devoting attention to Currant Kitchen," a locally produced food-oriented TV show. Owner Raed Salti tells the Chronicle that he's promoted sous chef Michael Nutt to replace Pedersen.

Eater New Orleans notes that chef Chris DeBarr has departed his restaurant Serenity. DeBarr tells the Times-Picayune that he's "doing stuff in Houston." The chef hosted a pop-up last month with a crew that included Nosh Bistro co-owner Neera Patidar. Could DeBarr be set to helm the kitchen at the restaurant that's been well-reviewed but hasn't quite found an audience? Bears watching.

· Chef Chris DeBarr departs Serendipity restaurant in Mid-City [New Orleans Times Picayune]
· Chris Debarr Leaves Serendipity, Might Move to Texas [-ENOLA-]
· Nosh Bistro, You Sexy Thing [Houston Press]
· A Brief Graze Through Nosh Bistro [29-95]
· Soren Pedersen out at Sorrel Urban Bistro [29-95]
· Soren Pedersen [Official Site]
· Currant Kitchen [Youtube]
· All Osteria Mazzantini Coverage on Eater Houston [-EHOU-]