Grant van Gameren and Guy Rawlings take over the reins at Lucien
Six weeks or so after leaving the Black Hoof behind him, Grant van Gameren has found a new home. Alongside Brockton General’s Guy Rawlings, the charcuterie pioneer has moved on to Lucien, replacing chef Scot Woods, who left recently. “During his tenure here, Scot proved to be an extremely talented and creative chef and we wish him the very best in his future endeavours,” owner Simon Bower told us. “But I have decided the restaurant is going in a new direction.”
Bower told us the food is going to be more approachable, with larger portions and “softer” prices. While the pair have been in the kitchen since last week, the new menu is on hold for a couple weeks while the chefs find their footing (and the restaurant works through its old inventory). Before opening the ever-mobbed Black Hoof along with his business partner, Jen Agg, van Gameren was actually Lucien’s sous chef under Woods. For his part, Rawlings was reportedly planning to open a new restaurant after he left Brockton General and was spotted working both the front and back of house at Bloordale’s Ortolan. It’s unclear how long van Gameren and Rawlings will remain at Lucien, but Bower says he’s excited about the changes they’ll bring. So are we.
Lucien, 36 Wellington St. E., 416-504-9990, lucienrestaurant.com.
