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For weeks, intriguing rumors of a possible new chef at Le Cirque and the departure of chef Pierre Schaedelin have swirled around like so much late-fall snow . Sources say the rumors are, in fact, both true and false.

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It’s true that when the Maccioni clan rings in the  New Year, they will have a new chef in the kitchen: chef Christophe Bellanca. The young Frenchman last cooked at the Versailles of Los Angeles, L’Orangerie. (Reportedly closing on December 31st, to be taken over by the Nobu group in 2007.)

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It’s false that Pierre is leaving. He will continue as executive chef and the two will do a culinary pas de deux in the kitchen.

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Le Cirque is after all a family affair and after eight years, Pierre is a made man. Even if he leaves the building for points afar, he’ll most likely continue to carry the family flag. But that’s a story for next year.