Chef Matt McCallister to leave Stephan Pyles Restaurant in Dallas

by Teresa Gubbins

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Spending more time with his family.

DALLAS — Chef Matt McAllister is leaving Stephan Pyles Restaurant, confirms Stephan Pyles.

"Matt will be leaving Stephan Pyles after 4 ½ years to spend more time with his family and also take the opportunity to 'stage' in a number of well-known restaurants including The French Laundry," Pyles said. "It’s been an incredible experience watching Matt’s growth over the years and I predict he will become a star in his own right."

Pyles sees a silver lining.

"The good news for me is that it’s an employer’s market right now and I am already in conversation with some top-notch chefs to replace him," he said. "Also I have quite a bit of depth on the staff now to promote from within."

As for McCallister, he said he's excited about the opportunity to work at French Laundry. "It took me about 12 emails back and forth to make it happen," he said.

He also said he'd like to eventually open up his own place, and he'd like to do it in Dallas -- "but that's probably not gonna happen for another couple years," he said.

He expects that Fuego, the chef's table, will continue.

"Stephan and I are on great terms, I'm still going to help with that, maybe step back in the kitchen, but it will still go on."