Chef Charles d’Ablaing is leaving Raphael Hotel, hopes to open his own restaurant

Charles d’Ablaing, the executive chef at Chaz on the Plaza, the dining room in the Raphael Hotel on the Country Club Plaza, confirmed to The Pitch today that he has given his notice to the hotel owners and plans to leave his position. He was the hotel’s executive chef for five years.

Chef d’Ablaing, who served as executive chef at Webster House for five years prior to taking the Raphael Hotel position, says the decision to leave was his choice.

“I’m ready for a change,” he says. “I’ll stay on a little while until the Raphael hires a new executive chef.”

The 39-year-old high-profile chef would like to stay in Kansas City, he says. He plans to take a month off and travel a bit before either taking a new job or possibly opening his own restaurant.

And what would be the cuisine be at a Charles d’Ablaing-owned restaurant in Kansas City?

“Fried chicken, burgers and custard,” d’Ablaing says.