The heat has been turned up in two of Auckland's flashest kitchens. Celebrity chef Simon Gault is quitting the upmarket Parnell restaurant that carries his name and moving back to the waterfront - at the expense of another TV and radio cook, Michael James.
Informed sources have told the WeekendHerald that:
* Gault is about to leave the restaurant that trades on his name, Gault at George.
* He will return to Euro on Princes Wharf in the New Year.
* James, the chef at Euro, is headed for a new career in Las Vegas or the Middle East.
The move has been simmering for some weeks.
Gault this week told Lou Jones, owner of the George in Parnell, that he was terminating his contract for the upmarket dining room.
Jones, Gault and the restaurant manager, Robert Johnson, have been mates for years.
With Leo Molloy they launched Euro, one of Auckland's first Viaduct/America's Cup meeting-places.
It is understood that Gault is not only ending his contract with George, but Shane Yardley - his superstar offsider from Alain Ducasse's Spoon+ restaurant in London - will go, too.
Gault refused to comment yesterday. Because of his contractual obligations, he will go on "gardening leave" for three months.
James, an affable Welshman and rugby fan, said yesterday that he was ending his season with Euro at the end of February to go on a long-delayed trip to Portugal and Spain to charge his tastebuds.
"After that I'll be moving up to Dubai or Vegas - it's either the petrodollars or the roulette chips."
James said he wanted to return to the large international hotel groups where he started his career.
