Justin Basye OUT at Museum Park Cafe, Jason White IN

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• Justin Bayse (l), Christopher Balat (c), and Chris Leung (r) Photo credit: Museum Park Cafe/Facebook
• Chef Jason White Photo credit: Balcor Hospitality

Despite rave reviews for the recently opened Museum Park Cafe, James Beard Award nominated executive chef Justin Bayse has parted ways with Christopher Balat's BALCOR Hospitality owned restaurant. BALCOR Hospitality sent out this statement today regarding the departure and announcing Bayse's replacement, Jason White, formerly sous chef at Oxheart:

"Balcor Hospitality announces the departure of Justin Basye and the promotion of current sous chef Jason White to the executive chef position. In this role, White, who was most recently the sous chef at Oxheart and previously at Revival Market, will oversee the culinary program at both Museum Park Café and Bosta. Basye has helmed Museum Park Cafe's kitchen since its opening in September, contributing significantly to the restaurant’s success. We wish him the very best in his future pursuits. At the same time, we feel we are very fortunate to have a young talent like Jason, who has been a part of this team since pre-opening, to step into this role and excited to see a continual evolution of the menu."

Bayse left his position with the Houston-based Pappas restaurant group in April to help create the menu that has made Museum Park Cafe and Bosta Wine and Coffee this year's go-to destinations. Where Bayse will take his talents next is uncertain, but he leaves big shoes for White to fill. Whether White fills those shoes well is up in the air, but coming off a stint at the highly acclaimed Oxheart is a great start.