Jim Nawn, owner of Agricola eatery in Princeton, announced that he and Josh Thomsen, Executive Chef of Agricola, have decided to part ways.
“Over two years ago, chef Josh and I partnered in opening a very successful restaurant for Princeton,” Nawn said in a statement. “I learned and benefited a great deal from him over that time, and while I am sorry to see him go, exciting new opportunities lie ahead for both of us. We are proud of what we have created and are grateful to have collaborated on Agricola.”
Thomsen will become executive chef of the Eau Palm Beach Resort & Spa in Manalapan, Florida. His longtime sous chef, Manlee Siu (meaning at Agricola and before Agricola, when they worked as a team on the West Coast) will leave Agricola and join him at Eau Palm Beach.
Agricola’s new executive chef is Crawford Koeniger, who was executive chef of Washington House in Basking Ridge when it received three stars from NJM last fall.
Koeniger left Washington House in January, trading his executive chef position for the job of sous chef at Agricola. That move, which seemed puzzling at the time, now makes sense as part of a succession plan.
“Koeniger is a talented young chef and an excellent fit for Agricola and our team,” Nawn said. “Agricola is a strong brand, and we will endeavor to improve every day going forward, continuing to build on what chef Thomsen has started.”