Katie Gallego Heads to Italy; Can Can Welcomes John Gilbert

BELLTOWN — Orfeo sous chef Katie Gallego (formerly the head chef at Vespolina, which closed in July) is taking a leave of absence from the Belltown restaurant to pursue a gig in Italy starting April 7 and running through the end of September. Gallego starts as a private chef on a luxury food and wine tour and then plans to split her time among a few different restaurants in the area, some of which are Michelin-starred.

DOWNTOWN — The Can Can has a new chef at the helm as of December: John Gilbert comes over from the U District's popular Portage Bay Cafe. Gilbert has reworked the menu, which is sourced primarily from Pike Place Market vendors and served during the Can Can's rowdy burlesque performances.

FRIDAY HARBOR — San Juan Island's Friday Harbor House welcomes Jason Aldous as its new chef. Aldous was previously leading the kitchen at the Camano Island Inn, and before that was running a pop-up in Seattle called Wild Roots, whose seats were widely sought after.