Since 2003, Boka has solidified its place as one of Chicago's most iconic restaurants. Chef Lee Wolen’s seasonal American food centers on beautiful ingredients and expertly executed preparations, delivering à la carte dishes and a hyper-seasonal tasting menu with graceful, genuine hospitality. With a distinctive combination of unparalleled service, a visionary chef, and exceptional design, BOKA exemplifies BOKA Restaurant Group’s core mission to create unique, timeless restaurants.
The restaurant’s rich history includes 10 consecutive Michelin stars. Since joining BOKA as Executive Chef, Chef Lee Wolen garnered a Michelin star in 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021; “3 Stars” and “Chef of the Year” from the Chicago Tribune; and “Chef of the Year” and “Restaurant of the Year” at the Jean Banchet Awards.
Born in Cleveland, Ohio, Lee Wolen decided to pursue a career in the kitchen when he was in high school. During his early career, Wolen worked as Sous Chef at Moto and Butter in Chicago before spending time in Europe at Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons and the famed El Bulli.
After his time in Europe, Wolen returned to the States and spent three years as Sous Chef at Eleven Madison Park in New York. During his tenure, Eleven Madison Park 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."
In 2012, Wolen returned to his midwestern roots, joining The Lobby at The Peninsula Chicago as Chef de Cuisine. Under Wolen, The Lobby received a five-star rating from Time Out Chicago, a four-star review from Chicago Magazine, three stars from the Chicago Tribune, and a Michelin star.
In 2014, Wolen joined Boka Restaurant as Executive Chef/Partner, where he was named "2014 Chef of the Year" by Chicago Tribune and Eater Chicago, one of Plate Magazine's "30 Chefs to Watch," and was nominated as a finalist for a James Beard Award for “Best Chef: Great Lakes” in 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020. Boka has maintained a Michelin star from 2011 to 2022.
Wolen will open GG's Chicken Shop brick and mortar Fall 2022. With a streamlined menu of rotisserie chicken, chicken sandwiches, and familiar homestyle sides, this concept stems from Wolen's own childhood dinner table.
Kim Mok graduated from French Pastry School in 2013.
Kim has been part of the Boka Restaurant Group team for over six years as Pastry Sous Chef at Somerset and Boka.
Today, Kim serves as the Executive Pastry Chef for Boka and Alla Vita.