Recent organizational changes at Woodfire Grill have left folks wondering if Chef Kevin Gillespie is leaving the restaurant. Melissa Libby of PR firm Melissa Libby & Associates assures me this isn’t the case. Instead, she says  he is no longer an owner but that “he continues to play an integral role at the restaurant.” Of the reorganization, Libby says,

The change is more a formality than anything, giving Kevin the opportunity to focus on his two cookbooks and other ventures while relieving him of operational responsibilities. Kevin remains on with his team, including his long time chef de cuisine EJ Hodgkinson. Nick Quinones and Bernard Moussa remain as owners and plan no changes.

Gillespie is no doubt spending a great deal of time on his two cookbooks, which are scheduled to be released in the fall of 2012 and the fall of 2013.

But, Top Chef fans can breathe a sigh of relief — you can still catch “the beard” at Woodfire Grill.

–by Jenny Turknett, Food and More blog