Executive Chef Nicholas Tarnate. Photo by Poprock Photography

Former executive chef Nicholas Tarnate of now-shuttered Aix en Provence has been named the new executive chef at Bar Marcel. Tarnate takes over for Josh Oakley, opening chef of Bar Marcel. 

Oakley is moving into a new role as culinary director with Urban Food Group, the group that owns Bar Marcel, Vivace Charlotte, Civetta Italian Kitchen + Bar, and restaurants in Raleigh, Wilmington, and Denver, Colorado. Oakley will be based at Avelina, the Denver restaurant. 

Tarnate plans to continue Bar Marcel’s focus on Italian cuisine but pay closer attention to Umbria, Emilia Romagna, Sicily, and the Piedmont regions. He also plans to put his own personal touches to the menu. 

“I’ll concentrate on French cuisine while introducing influences from Morocco, Tunisia, and Spain,” he says. 

Bar Marcel is primarily known for Italian fare, but has been known to borrow from Spanish and French cuisines. The restaurant opened in April of last year at Morrison in SouthPark and is the tenth restaurant by Stacey and Kevin Jennings’ Urban Food Group. 

“Nicholas has worked in some of the most prestigious kitchens in Charlotte,” Kevin Jennings says. “And he’s been coached by some of the city’s best chefs. We’re thrilled to have such a pro leading our kitchen at our new SouthPark spot. Making fresh pasta is among his many culinary passions – and it’s one of many skills that makes him a great fit for Bar Marcel.” 

Bar Marcel is open for lunch Monday through Saturday and dinner seven nights a week. Tarnate plans to start brunch in the coming weeks. –Justin Burke-Samson