Former Manna chef arrested
Former celebrated Manna executive chef Jacob Hilbert was arrested March 28 in Austin, Texas, on charges of embezzling $130,000 from the downtown Wilmington restaurant, according to the U.S. Marshals’ Lone Star Fugitive Task.

Hilbert in mid-May 2012 left Manna suddenly. Shortly afterward, Hilbert became executive chef at now temporarily shuttered Zed’s restaurant in Austin. In September 2012, he appeared on KXAN-TV news in Austin for a cooking demonstration.

Neither Hilbert nor Manna owner William Mellon have commented about the matter.

The Fortunate Glass wine bar cook Paula Pacini lately has been clocking some shifts at Manna, joining executive chef Jameson Chavez, previously Hilbert’s sous chef, and noted pastry chef Rebecca Alvarado Parades in the kitchen. The team’s spring menu is out, and this month they honor local farmers and produce at Manna’s popular 7-9 p.m. Thursday tapas at the bar.

Wilmington chefs miss cooking contest finals 
The Pub at Sweet and Savory chef Josh Petty was the last Wilmington chef standing in the second round of the Fire on the Dock cooking competition last week at Bluewater Grill in Wrightsville Beach. He was defeated by chef Gerry Fong of Persimmons in New Bern.

Fong faces Clarke Merrell of Morehead City’s Circa 81 in the final battle April 3 while Petty focuses on The Pub at Sweet and Savory’s new Latin-themed menu. The list includes assorted tacos, tortas, burritos and house specialties such as pork belly carnitas and sticky rum ribs.

Kitchen changes
Toque Shane Tyner, who represented Wrightsville Beach’s King Neptune at Fire on the Dock and was previously at Phun Seafood Bar, has joined the kitchen at Towne Tap & Grill.

Check Mixto soon for a revamped menu from chef Fenix Nelson, formerly of Manna and Catch. He also owns the late-night burrito delivery service, Incognito Bar-Rito. Nelson favors from-scratch moles and sauces and is talking about making his own cheese.

Chris’ Cosmic Kitchen chef/owner Chris Lubben preceded Nelson at Mixto. Lubben has taken over as executive chef of the Shoals Club on Bald Head Island.

Former Crow Hill owner Derrick Cook, who did a brief stint at Cameron Art Museum’s Café Johnnie after Crow Hill closed, has been shaking pans at The Kitchen. Cook works with his New York City pal Andrew Karasz, who recently switched over to The Kitchen from Circa 1922. The pair met in New York and ran into each other unexpectedly when Karasz arrived as Circa executive chef in February 2012.

Wilmington chefs and diners have not forgotten former Circa 1922 executive chef and Manna executive sous chef Kyle Lee McKnight. Many are reporting plans to attend April 8-11 opening nights at his latest stop – the farm-to-table, contemporary American Highland Avenue in Hickory.