Brian Malarkey disclosed he is leaving Oceanaire during a Chocolat & Vino Affair fundraiser event at Stingaree.
"I'm taking an extended family leave of absence," Malarkey said on NBCSandiego.com. He wouldn't say what his next place of employment might be, or if he is planning on opening his own restaurant.
Malarkey helped open San Diego's downtown Oceanaire chain restaurant in 2004. He's won numerous local awards for seafood and has been named best local chef. He competed on the "Top Chef" reality TV show on the Bravo Network, and finished in the top four during the program's third season.
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