Chef Dustin Haney of Scratch in BITE 2015. Credit: photo by Rob Bartlett
In very sad news for locals with tastebuds, chef Dustin Haney has announced he will leave Scratch.

Chef Haney developed the menu at Scratch and has been behind the stove since the start. His duties will be assumed by one of his sous-chefs.

Brittany Byrd, Scratch’s front-of-house and Haney’s girlfriend of many years, told us recently that one of the restaurant’s most popular dishes, the pork belly adobo (one of our “20 local dishes we absolutely love right now“), was inspired by a dish made by her mother, so Haney’s personal connection to the menu is clear. 

We’re not sure what the future holds for Haney – he says he may explore opportunities in New York – but the restaurant has no plans to close, and will continue under the guidance of Scratch co-founder Michael Roller. 

Pork belly adobo with black rice and calamansi lime. Credit: photo by Hannah Glogower

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This article appears in Jul 15-21, 2015.

Jessica Bryce Young has been working with Orlando Weekly since 2003, serving as copy editor, dining editor and arts editor before becoming editor in chief in 2016.