Los Angeles Meat Master Chad Colby OUT at Chi Spacca

One of LA’s great restaurant groups sure is having a hard time keeping talent these days. In a series of swift departures, the B&B Hospitality Group behind such luminary restaurants as Osteria/Pizzeria Mozza and Chi SPACCA lost their main kitchen talent Matt Molina, who pulled away in May and is now headed for the Arts District.

Now it’s Chad Colby’s turn.

In a gut-wrenching turn of events, the well-known man behind the stoves at Chi SPACCA is gone, effective immediately. The Mozza restaurant group team confirmed the departure, which leaves a gaping hole inside one of Los Angeles’ luminary restaurants.

Known for his butchery-heavy techniques and love of all things flame-kissed, Colby helped to elevate Chi SPACCA into a singular dining destination in Los Angeles, on par with any of the other great eateries around.

Where that leaves the Nancy Silverton/Joe Bastianich/Mario Batali-backed restaurant is anyone’s guess. Hopefully it doesn’t truly spell the end of an era for the uber-popular eatery on Melrose — the city would miss their salumi boards and focaccia di recco entirely too much.