Dallas chef Sharon Hage not involved with upcoming restaurant, despite crass name-dropping

by Teresa Gubbins

Fun behind-the-scenes foodie dish involving an announced new restaurant and a critically lauded chef: On Thursday, Belo Eats put up an item about a possible restaurant called Jones being opened on Henderson Avenue in May by one Donald Chick, described as "a partner in Victory Park's La Condesa restaurant". The item proceeded to say that "Chick's friend, York Street's Sharon Hage, played a role in helping to select the exec chef, to be announced."

Not so much, it turns out. From Hage herself, with CCs to the two Kims, Nancy N. and me (last. I guess it was alphabetical?):

Christopher,

I need your help in setting the facts straight.

Donald Chick had/has no authorization to use my name in conjunction with his upcoming restaurant project. We are barely acquaintances, much less friends.

Several months ago, he called to discuss his plans and the possibility of my consulting on the menu. We met twice-briefly. I suggested he contact Marc Cassel. End of story.

I found it very odd that he would call me today, out of the blue, after absolutely no contact in all these months to let me know that he was going to proceed with Marc as his Chef. Very peculiar, as I have no stake in Donald's plans or his restaurant hire decisions. I happen on the eats blog, and it all comes together.

Shockingly slimy move on Donald's part to use my name, without permission or compensation to promote a project to which I have absolutely no connection.

My only hesitation in sending this email is the risk that it might be used to further entangle my name with his. That would be regrettable.

For the record, I have nothing but the highest regard for Marc Cassel. I consider him a friend and a colleague, and wish him all the best in any and all of his future endeavors.

I look forward to hearing any solution to this problem you all may want to offer.

Thank You,

Sharon Hage

If you look at the Eats item, there's a supporting comment from "Donovan" that says "Donald Chick friends with Ms. Hage? Truly, an odd couple -- if not completely unbelieveable. I see no parallels between them, except that Chick wants the kind of credibility for his establishments that announcing his 'friendship' with Ms. Hage might imply. He's got the DJ-hipster thing down, now maybe he's hoping with this press release he'll earn some premature food credibility."

Anyway, the cool fringe benefit of all this is that Chick obviously didn't want to divulge who the chef was, but we end up finding out anyway that it's Marc Cassel.