Kaelin Ulrich Leaving Bajo Sexto to Travel Abroad, Stage

Kaelin Ulrich, the talented young 24-year-old chef that opened the Jonathan Waxman-backed Bajo Sexto Taco Lounge and its more casual counterpart Bajo Sexto Taco, is leaving the restaurant.

Ulrich announced the move earlier this morning via social media:

Instagram

He tells the Nashville Scene that he plans to "just....travel around the world a little. Stage in some kitchens around the world. I just want to see what else is out there for now[.] I might come back to Nashville, but for now I'm just going to take a little time to travel and learn some more. Nashville's definitely been good to me, but for now a little bit of travel and find some inspiration as a chef, you know?"

Howard Greenstone, co-owner of Bajo Sexto and mentor to Ulrich, tells Eater that Ulrich’s travel plans include stops at the Noma residency in Tulum, Mexico, as well as staging at a new Marcus Samuelsson taqueria in London that will open next to his soon-to-open Red Rooster outpost.

As for the future of Bajo Sexto, Greenstone says that it will continue to thrive, with Ulrich having offered to stay on as a consultant to help develop additional flavors. But in terms of the day-to-day, Jeremy Britt, a former executive chef who came to Waxman’s Adele’s before moving over to Bajo Sexto about a month and a half ago, will take the reins while Greenstone begins the search “to find another young kid who wants an opportunity like Kaelin had.”

“I love Kaelin. He’s a true, true talent, and I respect him tremendously for wanting to go out and seek more knowledge. Everyone asks me if I’m upset, and I say no, he is mature beyond his years to want to go out and learn more. I’m a big advocate, our door will always be open for him, and we wish him the best.”