Due to personal health reasons, Jason Maddy had to leave Oak in late May. Two weeks ago, owner Tiffanee Ellman told me they were looking all over the place for a worthy replacement. “We’ve been searching like crazy, high and low, nationwide for quite some time,” she said. “Everyone was knocking on our door. We wanted to make sure whoever we picked will take it up a notch.”
Today word comes that a new chef has arrived! Richard Gras is currently en route from Bal Harbour, FL to Dallas, and he’ll begin his new job on July 15.
From Ellman:
Oak is pleased to announce the arrival of its new Executive Chef, Richard Gras. Chef Gras brings to Oak the innovative and creative style that he has developed throughout his illustrious career. He spent the majority of his career running restaurants for the Ritz Carlton in Amelia Island and Half Moon Bay, achieving numerous accolades at both, including a Michelin recommendation and AAA 5 Diamonds. Most recently, Chef Gras was the Chef de Cuisine at the St. Regis Bal Harbour and headed Jean George’s acclaimed J&G Grill. When asked about his decision to move to Dallas to take the helm of Oak, Chef Gras stated, “Driven by my passion for food, I am both a teacher and a student. Oak’s mantra of simplistic elegance matches my approach to cuisine and I am looking forward to being a part of a visionary and dynamic team that shares my ambitious goals.”
