After a 13-year hiatus, chef Chris Lubben is back in the downtown mix, this time as executive chef at Mixto.

Lubben in 1999 was a chef at downtown’s Reel Café. More recently, he and his wife, Kristin Lubben, operated Chris’ Cosmic Kitchen, a popular Eastwood Drive restaurant open from 2007 to 2011.

From Chris’, Lubben headed to Mayfaire Town Center’s Happy Days Café, which closed shortly after his arrival, then The Kitchen on Military Cutoff Road and, finally, The Isles Restaurant in Ocean Isle Beach.

When The Isles closed temporarily for the winter season in 2012, Lubben went on a job hunt. He started at Mixto on Monday.

“We’re excited about having Chris in the kitchen,” Mixto co-owner Gil Johnson said, noting Lubben brings years of experience to the restaurant’s culinary team, which will continue to include chef Josh Burris.

Burris stepped in as executive chef when former chef Trinity Hunt departed in mid-2012. Burris will return to the sous chef position he has held at Mixto since the spot opened in 2010, Johnson said. 

Mixto’s menu won’t change immediately, but by spring owners plan to return to the contemporary Latin offerings they originally had in mind, Johnson said.

For now, Lubben said that he is getting acquainted with the existing menu, but he’ll feature specials as he moves toward development of a new menu.

Can diners expect to see “Latinized” versions of Lubben’s much-loved Chris’ Cosmic Kitchen cheesecake and shrimp bisque?

The bisque is a maybe, Lubben said, but a dulce de leche cheesecake he served Mixto owners during the interview process helped him win the job.