Parks & Rec Diner Loses Another Chef

Allie Lyttle is out as executive chef at popular brunch restaurant Parks & Rec in the Grand Army of the Republic building in downtown Detroit, Lyttle tells Eater.

Reached by phone Saturday as she was celebrating her honeymoon, Lyttle says she found out that she had been terminated on Friday via text message. During a call to the general manager she was informed that her position had been eliminated after a restructuring of the culinary management team.

“I am honestly shocked,” she says. “Parks & Rec has been performing better and better under my guide.” She also added: “It’s almost as disappointing as being the third female executive chef to be ousted in three years for various reasons.”

"What’s immediately next for me? Being on my honeymoon! But after that? I’ve been working on my own concept and am looking into my options. No one has stopped me yet in this industry and surely they won’t start now.”

Lyttle originally announced her exit in a post on the Parks & Rec Facebook page shared on Friday evening: “I wanted to let everyone know with a heavy heart, but a head held high, that I am leaving Parks & Rec effective today,” Lyttle wrote. “Thank you for the past two+ years of amazing times, your patronage, support of my team and myself, our community work and so much more. Keep your eyes open for my next adventure.”

Lyttle’s departure marks the third executive chef who has left the Grand Army of Republic. She was promoted to the position in 2017, following the abrupt departure of Sarah Welch who had overseen both Parks & Rec and Republic. Welch is currently working towards opening a restaurant and butcher shop called Marrow in West Village. Welch in turn took over for Republic and Parks & Rec’s opening chef Kate Williams, who now is executive chef and co-owner at Lady of the House, Candy Bar, and forthcoming hotel diner Karl’s.

It’s not clear who will replace Lyttle. Eater has reached out for to Parks & Rec’s management for further comment. Stay tuned for updates.

• Chef Sarah Welch Ousted From Republic, Parks & Rec Diner [ED]
• Chef Kate Williams Leaving G.A.R. Castle Restaurants [ED]
• All Parks & Rec Diner Coverage [ED]
• All Chef Shuffles Coverage [ED]