Izu Ani quits as head chef at Vanilla
Izu Ani has quit his job as head chef at Vanilla in London after just over a year in the job following the restaurant`s decision to go with a new menu concept.
Nigerian-born Ani, who joined the basement restaurant and bar in Great Titchfield Street last February, introduced a tasting menu last summer to showcase his innovative cooking techniques.
A spokeswoman for Ani said he had decided to leave to pursue other opportunities when it was decided that the tasting menus, including dishes such as clay potatoes and Scallops with Chinese Pear and Black Pudding and Potato Terrine, should be abandoned for a simpler focus.
The restaurant, renowned for its sleek decor, has now returned to an a la carte menu and is serving `unpretentious modern French cuisine` with Halim Merrir taking over Ani`s former role as head chef.
Ani, who started his career at The Square and spent eight months training at Spanish restaurants Mugaritz, Arzak and Akelarre before joining Vanilla, made the shortlist for the Restaurant Chef category in this year`s Craft Guild of Chefs awards. It is not known what Ani will do next, although it is thought he has opportunities lined up.
New chef at Vanilla
