<div class="tldr">Chef Lina Morales left her post as executive chef at Cavanaugh's Steakhouse in Midtown on June 3. She is set to oversee the kitchen at a new Brooklyn project opening later this summer.</div>
<ul class="key-facts">
<li>Lina Morales was head chef at Cavanaugh's Steakhouse for three years.</li>
<li>Morales's departure took effect June 3, 2024.</li>
<li>The Brooklyn restaurant project is currently unnamed and set to open this summer.</li>
</ul>
Chef Lina Morales’s sudden departure from Cavanaugh’s Steakhouse marks the end of her three-year tenure at the Midtown establishment. Morales became executive chef in 2021, overseeing a menu focused on traditional American steakhouse fare. Her exit was confirmed by a spokesperson for Cavanaugh’s on June 4.
The yet-unnamed Brooklyn project will be Morales’s first time leading a kitchen in the borough. The restaurant is reported to be backed by Cedar Table Hospitality, a local restaurant group. Morales is expected to bring several longtime members of her kitchen staff with her to the new venture.
Cavanaugh’s Steakhouse, located near Bryant Park, stated that an interim culinary team will manage operations during the search for a new executive chef. The restaurant has not yet announced plans for a replacement or menu changes. Morales’s move comes amid increased chef turnover citywide, as openings and new investments shift toward Brooklyn neighborhoods.
<h2>Frequently Asked Questions</h2>
<h2>Why did Lina Morales leave Cavanaugh’s Steakhouse?</h2>
<p>Chef Lina Morales resigned from Cavanaugh’s Steakhouse to take a leadership role at a new Brooklyn restaurant. The move is described as a career progression and an opportunity to open a new concept. Morales had led the Midtown kitchen since 2021. Cavanaugh’s confirmed her departure without further comment. No public statements have been made about internal circumstances.</p>
<h2>What is known about the new Brooklyn restaurant?</h2>
<p>The new Brooklyn project is backed by Cedar Table Hospitality. It is unnamed and planned for a summer 2024 opening. Morales will serve as executive chef. No details about the cuisine or location have been released. The team includes several cooks from her Midtown staff.</p>
<h2>Who is replacing Morales at Cavanaugh’s Steakhouse?</h2>
<p>Cavanaugh’s Steakhouse has appointed an interim culinary team while searching for a permanent executive chef. The restaurant has not yet announced a replacement. Menu changes have not been detailed. Operations are expected to continue as usual during the transition. Further announcements will be made when a new chef is hired.</p>