The latest on Michael Voltaggio

Michael V—Frederick native, last season’s Top Chef winner, and brother of Volt’s Bryan—is leaving the Dining Room at the Langham Huntington Hotel in Pasadena, CA, in mid-July, according to a Q&A with Michael, pictured left with Bryan, byBrand X Daily posted on eater.com today. Here’s a shortened version, with a mention of Bryan, who came in second to his brother on Top Chef.

Because of your personality and your style of cooking, everyone was surprised that you stayed at the Langham for so long. Why leave now that they're renovating?

I had to come to terms with the fact that I either stay in Pasadena and be at this restaurant being branded around me, or I can do something on my own outside of the Langham. I decided I want to make my own place.... At the end of the day, I know that no matter what, that restaurant wasn't mine.

Can you reveal anything about the concept of your future project?

I want to make fine dining food more accessible to more people. I want to get past the whole pretension of it.

What neighborhoods are you scoping out? Is there a possibility that you might not stay in L.A.?

My goal is to stay in Los Angeles. I love L.A. and think it's the most exciting food city to be in right now.... I'll be looking in West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, places with a lot of foot traffic.

Will the new project involve your brother, Bryan?

Bryan is running a very successful business right now [at his restaurant Volt in Maryland], so I'll definitely look to him for advice…. He'll be a mentor, but not a partner.

Photo: voltaggiobrothers.com