ABC's The Taste Axes Chef Brian Malarkey as Judge

Brian Malarkey, chef and partner in sceney San Diego-based restaurant group Enlightened Hospitality (Searsucker, Herringbone, Gabardine, Green Acre, Burlap), has been cut as a judge from season two of ABC's lukewarm-received The Taste. Last month Anthony Bourdain and Nigella Lawson were confirmed to reappear on the show, and supposedly Trois Mec chef Ludo Lefebvre is set to return as well. Here's a farewell note from Malarkey that also affirms an upcoming LA project:

Being a part of ABC's The Taste was a great experience, especially mentoring one of my chefs all the way to the finish line and taking home the win. I am of course disappointed to part ways and not return for season 2, but onward and upward! I'm looking forward to pursuing future television projects and continuing to grow our restaurant group, which has had its most successful year to date. Austin has welcomed Searsucker with open arms and we're excited to open a restaurant in Los Angeles at the end of this year.