Craig Schoettler is OUT at The Aviary

Alinea chefs Dave Beran (from left), Craig Schoettler and Grant Achatz discuss The Aviary build out. (Photo: The Aviary)

The award-winning, yet controversial Executive Chef Craig Schoettler is apparently no longer working at The Aviary—according to his latest tweet:

"Good luck The Aviary."

Under Schoettler's leadership, the molecular-focused cocktail lounge has garnered a number of awards and accolades, including being named a Tales of the Cocktail finalist for World's Best New Cocktail Bar (The winner will be announced when the annual cocktail and spirits conference takes place in New Orleans July 25-29). Schoettler did this final interview about The Aviary's innovative cocktail techniques with the Daily Meal Video Network last week.

Schoettler's girlfriend, Jennifer Contraveos, who tends bar at Barcito, tweeted this curious message Monday afternoon:

"Can you post all your genius recipes now? :) Good luck is right."

This looks like there's an interesting story behind those tweets. We'll keep you updated with more details . . .

UPDATE: Looks like he was fired.

We reached out to The Aviary partner Nick Kokonas, and he had this to say:

"We're really happy to have had Craig work with us in The Aviary's first year. (Beyond that) we don't comment on the comings and goings of staff."