With Hotel Icon's Voice transitioning from a high-end eatery to a lounge that serves food, local foodies began to worry that Houston would lose a top culinary talent in executive chef Michael Kramer.

Foodies, rejoice: Kramer — who at Voice earned national recognition from Esquire and Travel + Leisure and the title of Best New Restaurant from Texas Monthly — is sticking around town, with a new gig as the executive chef at The Tasting Room cafes.

"It's really a win-win situation," said Jonathan Horowitz, Vice President of Marketing and Communications for Lasco Enterprises, which owns The Tasting Room and Max's Wine Dive. "We are happy to have someone on board with his experience and expertise, and he's glad to be working with a concept that's continuing to grow and develop."

Starting Tuesday, Kramer will be tackling the existing food program at The Tasting Room, then moving to the catering menu for TTR's numerous private and corporate events.

"Our original location in Uptown Park is almost seven years old and has a wonderfully loyal and supportive following — but we feel there still is improvement to be made with the culinary program — we know that Michael's considerable talent and experience will help us achieve our goals there, at our River Oaks location and for future projects," Jerry Lasco, founder and CEO of Lasco, said in a press release.

Those future projects include a new extension of The Tasting Room brand, to be announced in July.

"Michael's experience in fine dining, larger restaurants and a bigger format allows us to move in that direction," Horowitz said. "There will still be wine, but served with a stronger culinary focus,"