Jackie's and Chef Sam Adkins Part Ways

Sam Adkins joined the staff of Jackie's over five years ago -- well before the Silver Spring hot spot even opened. But the chef won't be there to toast its anniversary this month. Monday was his last day in the kitchen.

Was he fired? Did he resign? "I didn't resign," Adkins told me today. He described his departure as "a large disappointment."

While owner Jackie Greenbaum was effusive in her praise for the 34-year-old chef, calling him one of her "personally dearest friends" and crediting Adkins for "making this restaurant what it is," she added that "five years is a long time to be at one establishment."

If she liked the guy so much, why is he gone? "I think we reached the limitations of expression with one another," the restaurateur says.

Greenbaum has a replacement in mind, but she isn't prepared to name names yet; she's still discussing the direction of her restaurant with that person. As for Adkins, he says he's now "looking around" for another gig.

Not everything is changing. Greenbaum promises to keep fried chicken, pork riblets and Jackie's signature nachos on the menu. The last time the restaurateur tried to take off the vegetarian chips, their fans began a petition to bring the dish back -- on a cocktail napkin.

-- Tom Sietsema