Lee Wolen

Executive Chef /  Partner, Boka

Chef Lee Wolen was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio. He attended vocational culinary school during high school and quickly decided to pursue a career in the kitchen. During his early career, Wolen worked as Sous Chef in Chicago at Moto and at Butter in 2005, before spending time at Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons and the famed El Bulli.

After his time abroad, Wolen returned to the states and spent considerable time at Eleven Madison Park in New York, a three-Michelin-star restaurant, where he held the position of Sous chef for three years. While at Eleven Madison Park, the restaurant achieved The New York Times’ coveted four stars, earned multiple Michelin stars, and a Top Ten ranking in San Pellegrino’s “World’s 50 Best Restaurants.”

Returning to his Chicago roots, Wolen joined The Lobby at The Peninsula Chicago as Chef de Cuisine in May 2012. Time Out Chicago awarded Wolen with a perfect five-star rating, a four-star review from Chicago Magazine, and three-stars from Chicago Tribune. Wolen also earned a Michelin Star, becoming the first-ever Eleven Madison Park alum to be awarded a star.