Executive Chef Jason Gould is leaving Gravitas

Gravitas is housed in the former home of the original Antone's

Yesterday afternoon near the end of Cleverley's radio show, Jason Gould, the Executive Chef at Gravitas, called in to give an explanation about his rumored impending departure from the restaurant, the popular boisterous New American bistro on Taft near Allen Parkway, which he helped found with Scott Tycer four years ago.

It's true.  Gould said, "I was lead to believe that I was part-owner, but I was not...."  He expressed "shock" in learning about the lack of an ownership stake, and thought it was "best if I leave" after learning the news.  It seems that the confusion stems from issues concerning his initial immigration status (he is originally from Australia).  In the meantime he has married an American clearing any potential residency pitfalls.

The level of longtime miscommunication among the principals about something so important as equity in a thriving business seems rather odd.  On Cleverley's show, Gould sounded genuinely surprised and crestfallen about the situation.  

Gould said he does not have any plans now, but will "hopefully find something new and exciting in Houston", "as soon as possible."  Hopefully, so, as it would certainly be a loss for the city's restaurant scene if he leaves.  Gould is highly respected around the city having won both “Chef of the Year” from My Table's Culinary Awards in 2007, preceded by being awarded the “Up-And-Coming Chef of the Year” award in 2006, the only chef to win these in consecutive years.  Before Gravitas, he worked at Aires after arriving from time in kitchens in Manhattan, which was preceded by work in London at one of the Michelin-starred restaurants ran by the acclaimed Marco Pierre White.

Instead of departing immediately, he decided to stay for another couple of weeks or so out of a "responsibility" to his kitchen staff to help ease the transition.  Gould's last day at Gravitas will be Thursday, August 27.