Jeannie Pierola, the executive chef at both Bern's and a partner/executive chef at SideBerns, has left the restaurants.

Apparently, she and David Laxer, son of the late founder, had a parting of the ways over the direction of the next phase of Bern's expansion -- a  planned hotel across the street from Bern's. The exact cause of the breakup remains a mystery because Laxer isn't talking (only through his spokesperson) and Pierola wouldn't say.

Both said there was  no acrimony. "We had different visions and faced up to the fact," Pierola said.

The next chef or chefs of the restaurants will come from the staff Pierola trained and she says the food will be the as good "and probably better,'' as talented chefs get a chance to cook on their own.

Pierola became the first professional chef nine years ago at the legendary steakhouse, where Bern Laxer had directed all the cooking for generations She says she will be doing something in Tampa although she doesn't know exactly what at this point.

This news comes on the heels of the female chef at Redwoods in St. Petersburg, Domenica Macchia, leaving that restaurant and preparing to open her own place in St. Petersburg.

-- Story by Chris Sherman; 2003 photo by Michael Rondou | Times