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It wasn’t very long ago that New Times sat down with chef Akos Szabo to talk about the globally inspired, locavore menu he was developing for Match Cuisine & Cocktails, the restaurant and bar at the art-filled Found:RE Phoenix hotel in downtown Phoenix.
After just a few months at the helm, though, Szabo has parted ways with the restaurant.
Match’s new executive chef is Matthew Hobbs, formerly the sous chef at the restaurant. Hobbs is a graduate of the Arizona Culinary Institute and has previously cooked at T. Cook’s, The House Brasserie, and Town and Country Resort in San Diego.
Szabo has been the face of Match Cuisine & Cocktails since the restaurant debuted last October, which makes his departure feel particularly surprising and abrupt. The veteran chef has an extensive resume that includes a stint at the former Mary Elaine’s at The Phoenician. Szabo has also cooked in California, Boston, and Spain, and he brought a distinctly global perspective to Match.
But the truth is that the cuisine at the restaurant has not been as big a hit as, say, Randy Slack’s painting behind the front desk (see above).
A representative for the restaurant would not comment on the kitchen shake-up, but did say that Match is taking a “new direction” and will be debuting a new menu sometime after May 11.
Check for updates on the Match Cuisine & Cocktails Facebook page.
