Ryan Skeen Slowly Stepping Out of Kitchen at 5 & Diamond

It's never simple with dear, beloved Ryan Skeen. Though at the opening of his new Harlem restaurant 5 & Diamond, chef Skeen pitched himself as chef and partner, this is no longer the case. He tells Fork in the Road that it was always his intention to open the restaurant, get it off the ground, and then take a consulting role while ceding the kitchen to chef de cuisine David Santos. Santos concurs, noting they've slowly been transitioning from the former chef's dishes to the latter's. The good news is, most of the dishes that received raves in the Voice today were Santos' creations.

The real curiosity is what Skeen will do next, now that he is untethered from his kitchen duties. According to Fork in the Road, his consulting deal with Coffee Shop, the new owners of the Empire Diner space, has fallen through.
· Ryan Skeen Moves to Consulting Role, David Santos Is Chef of 5 & Diamond [FitR]
· Ryan Skeen Already on his Way Out at 5 & Diamond? [~ENY~]