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Zavala to join Xochitl

The "Top Chef" contestant will back up Dionicio Jimenez.

Jennifer Zavala, whose last day at El Camino Real was Friday, will land at Xochitl in Society Hill.

Don't read tea leaves on this career move, though it's tempting. Owner Steven Cook, who owns Xochitl and Zahav, is prepping a barbecue joint at Ninth and South Streets called Percy Street.

Cook told me that Zavala hasn't been hired so she can segue into Percy Street, where chef Erin O'Shea will be in charge. Cook said Zavala, with her Mexican cooking background, will help overworked Xochitl chef Dionicio Jimenez.

Zavala's start date has not been set. She premieres Aug. 19 on season six of Bravo's Top Chef.

O'Shea was chef at Marigold Cafe, which was sold and is scheduled to reopen Sept. 1 under chef Robert Halpern.