Ex-Avance Chef Justin Bogle Signs With Garces Group

After an early shutter at Le Bec-Fin successor Avance left his future up in the air, chef Justin Bogle has now landed a gig with the Garces Group that will see him headed back into a New York City kitchen. A rep confirms today that Bogle has signed on as corporate executive chef for the group. In addition to serving as opening chef de cuisine for the upcoming outpost of Amada slated for NYC's Brookfield Place, the rep tells Eater, "Justin will guide menu development and provide ongoing culinary support to restaurants throughout the group."

The move is a return of sorts: Fresh out of culinary school back in 2002, Philly native Bogle began his career under Garces (and chef Douglas Rodriguez) at Alma de Cuba. Bogle then began working for chef Christopher Lee at the Striped Bass, which subsequently led to a move to NYC and the kitchen at Gilt, where he made his name by earning two Michelin stars by the age of 28.

An exact opening date for Amada NYC is still unknown. While many stores and eateries have already opened, and the shopping center's official, all-systems-go grand opening is slated for this spring, Eater NY's most recent check-in suggests a summer opening for the Garces project.

Earlier this month, Garces grew his local portfolio with the opening of the Olde Bar, a reboot of Old Original Bookbinder's. Farther afield, Eater Chicago caught word that the Iron Chef will open a second iteration of his Argentine steakhouse, Rural Society, this March.