Noble 33 just made its most aggressive culinary bet yet. The hospitality group—known for Toca Madera, Mēdüzā Mediterrania, and Sparrow Italia—has named Lee Bennett Vice President of Culinary, effective immediately. Bennett comes with two decades of Michelin-starred experience under Gordon Ramsay and Alain Ducasse, including stints at Ramsay's Savoy Grill and Le Pont de la Tour. He most recently served as Global Director of Culinary for Gordon Ramsay Restaurants.
The timing is deliberate. Noble 33 has over ten new locations in the pipeline across nine markets, including Beverly Hills, Nashville, and Chicago. Bennett will oversee menu strategy, culinary operations, and team development across the portfolio—a role that demands both operational rigor and the creative bandwidth to differentiate concepts in crowded markets.
"Chef Bennett has worked alongside some of the most respected names in the culinary world," said Mikey Tanha, CEO of Noble 33. "At the helm of our culinary operation, we look forward to how he'll continue to push boundaries for our dining experience and overall guest journey." Bennett echoed the ambition: "Noble 33 has built an incredibly strong portfolio of concepts that truly define what modern hospitality can be. My goal is to build on that foundation by continuing to push boundaries, inspire our teams, and evolve our culinary voice across every concept."
Noble 33 currently operates in Houston, Las Vegas, and London, with its sights set on high-profile coastal and urban markets. The group's model—upscale, design-forward concepts with strong beverage programs—requires culinary execution that can scale without dilution. Bennett's background in luxury hospitality and multi-unit oversight positions him to thread that needle.
This hire signals more than internal promotion. It's a clear message to investors, landlords, and competitors: Noble 33 is building infrastructure to support aggressive growth. In an environment where culinary talent often determines lease negotiations and guest loyalty, bringing in a chef with Bennett's pedigree is strategic armor. The question now is whether Noble 33 can maintain its culinary edge as it scales from boutique to national player.