Ja’Nel Witt to join Corner Table as new exec chef

Ja’Nel Witt, winner of Season 11 of Fox’s “Hell’s Kitchen,” will be Corner Table’s new executive chef.

The news of Witt’s post came only days after Corner Table announced that it was parting ways with chef Bruce Molzan.

Witt, a Houstonian and native Texan who won “Hell’s Kitchen” last July, will be working with Corner Table to transform the menu over the coming weeks. Having worked locally at Tintos Spanish Restaurant in River Oaks, the Tasting Room in Uptown Park, and Kiran’s near Highland Village, Witt brings more than seven years of professional culinary experience to the job, specializing in international cuisine with a “flair for Thai, Indian, Spanish and Latin food,” according to Corner Table.

“We are thrilled to have Ja’Nel join our team,” Michelle Coopwood, co-owner of Corner Table stated. “Corner Table has had a tremendous first year, and with Ja’Nel’s help, we are confident the restaurant will be elevated to the next level and offer an even better experience to our customers.”

Witt’s “Hell’s Kitchen” win might have been sweet but it was short lived. Less than a month after winning “Hell’s Kitchen” with a prize of a $250,000 a year job at Gordon Ramsay Pub & Grill at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, Witt parted ways with Ramsay. The show’s production company stated at the time: “Recent unforeseen personal circumstances will now unfortunately prevent her from accepting the position, which is a huge disappointment for Ja’Nel and all of us. She’s an incredible talent, and we all wish her much success with the next chapter of her career.”

Witt later Tweeted: “I would like to express my sincerest thanks to Hell’s Kitchen, Gordon Ramsay, Caesars Palace & my supportive fans for this amazing experience. Due to personal matters, I will not be joining the team in Las Vegas, but I wish them continued success. This has been an incredible journey. I am thankful for everyone who made it possible and I am looking forward to my next cooking chapter.”

Corner Table may be Witt’s next big chapter. She is a graduate of the University of Houston and received a culinary arts degree from Art Institute of Houston.

Witt will assume the executive chef position left vacant by Molzan, who opened Corner Table in December 2012. On Monday the restaurant announced it had amicably parted ways with Molzan. Yesterday restaurateur Neera Patidar, of the former Nosh Bistro, said she was planning a partnership with Molzan to open a new restaurant in the former Nosh Bistro location in Upper Kirby. That restaurant is expected to open mid-July.
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