SALT Team Ready to Open FACTORY in December

Gaby Alves and her team return with FACTORY

The executive team behind such popular Beijing eateries as SALT and Zap Urban Eatery is readying a new venture, FACTORY, set to open in 798 in December.

Gaby Alves, Jennifer Eden, and Executive Chef Camilla Betin continue their tradition of all-caps eateries with "a fresh, modern catering concept, creative food workshop and event space," Eden said in an a press release, via e-mail.

FACTORY's first event will take place on December 7. "Kids can join Chef Camila Betin for a morning of food art and decoration. Each little chef will decorate a hand-crafted (and deliciously edible) gingerbread house using sugar craft and candy. Imaginations can run wild and all Little Chefs will take home their creation for the family to share," the announcement said.

SALT closed in August following a dispute with former employees, after six years in their Lido location. Alves and Eden accused former employee Wang Xiubo and landlord "Mr. Xin" of stealing the business and reopening it in the same space as SALT Spring. Zap Urban Eatery changed hands just last week and will be operated by Cu Ju owner Badr Benjelloun, who will rename the venue daze.

SALT was one of Beijing's most decorated restaurants. Most recently, it received Outstanding Restaurant of the Year (Non-Chinese, Fine Dining), Outstanding Best Chef (Fine Dining), for Paulo da Sousa, Outstanding Best Personality (Fine Dining) for Gaby Alves, Outstanding Best Steak (Fine Dining), and Outstanding Best Value (Fine Dining) at the the Beijinger 2013 Reader Restaurant Awards.

Disclosure: Badr Benjelloun is the CTO of True Run Media, parent company of the Beijinger.

Photo: the Beijinger