Executive chef Jason Koppinger has quit his job at The Reefs after just two months to focus on his TV career.The internationally acclaimed chef, who oversaw the resort’s three restaurants, resigned then left the Island within just days this week. Mr Koppinger will be playing “an active role” on a new cooking show on the Food Network. The show is understood to include visiting chefs in a cook-off challenge.The chef, who has worked across the globe, is no stranger to the Food Network having previously appeared alongside superstar Bobby Flay in ‘Iron Chef America: Battle Broccoli’ and on the ‘Chopped’ series.President of The Reefs David Dodwell said they were “terribly disappointed” with Mr Koppinger’s sudden departure at the start of the tourist season.But Mr Dodwell vowed that it was business as usual and they “wouldn’t miss a beat” when it came to bookings. Mr Dodwell said: “He (Mr Koppinger) had made a good start and we had made great plans, there was a lot of excitement about the future.“So with this happening just as we are getting ready for the season, it is disappointing. We were obviously hoping to have him around.”Mr Koppinger held top credentials from The Culinary Institute of America, the American Culinary Federation and The French Culinary Institute.In 2006, he made history when, at the age of 30, he became the youngest certified master chef (CMC) in the United States, which is the highest professional distinction and one that only 66 chefs have earned.Mr Koppinger told his bosses at The Reefs of his TV plans on Sunday, then walked out on the job the following day. He left Bermuda and headed to the States yesterday.Mr Dodwell said they immediately advertised the vacant position and “put the word out there.” He is hopeful they will soon have a new executive chef on board as the ski season and the Caribbean’s summer season are both coming to an end.Mr Dodwell said: “People know we are looking, we now have to try to find someone else.”In the meantime The Reefs’ second chef is going to oversee the smooth running of Coconuts, Ocean Echo and Royston’s restaurants. The Reefs has lots of bookings for private functions and weddings coming up, but Mr Dodwell reassured residents: “no one has anything to worry about.” He said: “Running a hotel with three restaurants we are very fortunate to have a large crew who are ready to help.“We’re happy we’ve got a great number two chef who is capable of standing in as acting executive chef. We’re not going to miss a beat. We’ve always been known for our quality and had a great reputation for food and that will continue.”Mr Koppinger moved to Bermuda in mid-February after The Reefs had been without an executive chef for about five months. Prior to joining The Reefs he was the executive chef at the Westin Casuarina Resort and Spa in the Cayman Islands where he earned the honour of Chef of the Year on Grand Cayman.Mr Koppinger started his new job to much acclaim announcing that he wanted to introduce cooking classes, special wine dinners and taps on the terrace.Last month Mr Koppinger told The Royal Gazette he picked the job in Bermuda because of its easy flight to Miami where his mother resides. He was born in New York City, and raised in Trinidad and Florida. The Royal Gazette was unable to contact Mr Koppinger yesterday.