Top Chef contender gets promotion at Dallas restaurant The Grape

Danyele McPherson is in charge so owner Brian Luscher can focus on new businesses.

Danyele McPherson, at The Grape since May 2011, is now running the day-to-day operations at the restaurant.

DALLAS — Danyele McPherson, one of three Dallas-area chefs who will compete on the upcoming season of Top Chef, has been bumped up to chef de cuisine at The Grape. She was formerly sous chef at the Greenville Avenue restaurant and has now been given the job of overseeing the kitchen's day-to-day routine, according to spokesperson Amity Thomas.

Was she given the promotion because of her performance on Top Chef? "Not at all," said Thomas. "She has been the major kitchen force for about 6 months."

Thomas told Leslie Brenner that chef and owner Brian Luscher will still be around, but that McPherson "is in charge." Meantime, Luscher is going to focus his efforts on his new hot dog and catering businesses.

Taking McPherson's place as sous chef is Ian Starr, from the now-closed Oak Cliff restaurant Campo Modern Country Bistro.