Chef Kenny Mills leaving Dallas Chop House for Villa-O

He'll start July 6.

DALLAS — Chef Kenny Mills has left his post at Dallas Chop House in downtown Dallas to join La Reve, the restaurant management company whose properties include Trece and Villa-O.

His last night at the downtown steakhouse was Saturday. He'll start at Villa-O on July 6, confirms La Reve principal Robert Colombo.

"We're thrilled to have Kenny join us," Colombo said.

Mills' departure, broken by Nancy Nichols, prompted a release from Dallas Chop House management group DRG Concepts:

Kenny Mills is no longer Executive Chef at Dallas Chop House and is no longer with DRG Concepts.

This development is the result of a management decision regarding operations and implementation of corporate culinary direction to ensure the success of the restaurant.

DRG Concepts President and Dallas Chop House Founder/Owner Mike Hoque said, “Chef Mills’ leadership in the kitchen at Dallas Chop House is appreciated and everyone at DRG wishes him all the best. In response to any questions that may arise from guests on how this management change will impact the DCH experience, it should be noted that the menu, recipes and features of the concept were developed with the collective culinary leadership at DRG, and were not the sole result of Chef Mills’ work. DRG Concepts Corporate Chef A.J. Joglekar and Culinary Director Chef John Tesar will continue to develop and deliver recipes at Dallas Chop House that exceed all expectations, and will do the same for all DRG Concepts brands. And DRG Concepts operations leadership will ensure that the experience and service that our customers receive continues to be stellar.”

New leadership in the Executive Chef position at Dallas Chop House will be announced when ready.

... "when ready." Well then.

Mills, who just received a glowing review from D Magazine, gave his notice two weeks ago. His exit was hastened by the inhospitable behavior of DRG culinary director John Tesar; he tells Nancy that, among other things, Tesar threw a bread ~~basket~~ bucket at him.