Alex Bois leaving High Street

High Street Hospitality Group is losing the award-winning baking services of Alex Bois, effective Oct. 1, after three years.

Bois, who turns 30 on Oct. 10 and describes his job title on Facebook as "bread loafer," was a nominee for the 2016 James Beard Award for Rising Star Chef of the Year. He is a Massachusetts native who graduated from college with a degree in biochemistry and worked for Sullivan Street Bakery before he was imported to High Street on Market, in Old City. He also helped in the opening of New York City's High Street on Hudson.

They've gone the statement route, with partners Eli Kulp and Ellen Yin praising Bois for his having "contributed so much to all our restaurants as well as being the driving force behind the current bread scene in Philadelphia. We sincerely thank him for all his hard work and wish him all the best in his future endeavors. He will be missed, but will always be part of our family."

Bois' quote: "While this was a very difficult decision, I treasure my time at High Street and I am thankful for the opportunity to have worked with such a talented and passionate group of individuals. I am now ready to move on and open the next chapter in my career."

By text, Bois said his immediate plan is a vacation. "After that, no set plans - just a few small projects I haven't had a chance to devote enough time to. Not to mention getting to enjoy Philly for the awesome city it is, something I haven't done enough of (especially of late)."

One project involves creating effective software tools for artisan bakeries.

His ultimate goal is to open a bakery in the city, but "I'm not in a rush, though."

During the interim, pastry chef Samantha Kincaid will oversee the bakery operations with production manager Kate O'Neill who has also been working at High Street since the bread program was launched.