In a personal statement posted to the COI website today, chef-owner Daniel Patterson has announced his plans to step down as executive chef of the restaurant, effect January 16, 2016. The chef, whose Daniel Patterson Restaurant Group continues to expand, cited a desire for a more balanced family life and his increased involvement with Loco'l, his fast-casual food venture with chef Roy Choi, as the impetus for his decision.

In his place, Patterson has named chef Matthew Kirkley as executive chef. No doubt the subject of a seriously stringent selection process, Kirkley comes from L2O, the now-closed, two Michelin-starred Chicago restaurant from restaurateur Rich Melman. After the restaurant switched concepts last fall, Kirkley stayed on with Melman's Lettuce Entertain You restaurant group until June, when he announced his upcoming departure for a "fine-dining opportunity."

Check out the full statement here. Eater has reached out to Patterson for more information, so stay tuned.