Chefs John Broening and Yasmin Lozada-Hissom Depart from Avelina

Avelina, a New American restaurant, opened over Labor Day weekend last year with great buzz around it, much of it due to the cult following that chef John Broening and pastry chef Yasmin Lozada-Hissom brought to the table. Seven months in, the husband and wife duo have stepped away from the LoDo restaurant. "We are grateful for the work and effort that John and Yasmin have put into the restaurant and for the team they have trained since they came on board," a PR representative for Avelina shared. "Our sous chefs Bradley Yard and Joshua Oakley are taking it from here and we are confident that they will uphold the standards that our guests expect."

"It's been a hard decision to leave a restaurant that we have built from the scratch - from the name to the concept and menus and desserts," chef Lozada-Hissom said. "We have accomplished a lot over the months that we were there and we're glad to have had the opportunity to share our food and passion with diners," she added.

One thing is certain: Everyone familiar with Lozada-Hissom's desserts will miss her whimsical touch and those who have followed Broening's career, which includes Duo and Olivea, are surely eager to see where he will cook next.

Another significant change in staff is forthcoming at the original location of Punch Bowl Social. Next month, chef Matt Selby will depart the team he joined last summer to pursue other opportunities. "Matty is a great talent, and a great person," Punch Bowl owner Robert Thompson said. "We've appreciated the passion he's brought to our kitchen and the inspiration he's shared with our team. When a future member of the Denver restaurant hall of fame moves on to his next opportunity, it's always a loss. Fortunately, he's trained his talented team exquisitely; and chef Hugh Acheson is always a stabilizing force in our restaurants," he added.