Jim Noble

Chef Jim Noble graduated from North Carolina State University's Furniture Manufacturing and Management program in 1977, where he earned a degree in engineering from the School of Engineering. His father was in the furniture business, a path Jim always expected he would follow. Little did he know that his own path and passions in life would lead him a very different direction. After a short stint in the furniture business, he returned to the college nightclub business where he had been working during his senior year in college.

In July of 1983, he opened Restaurant J. Basul Noble and having no formal culinary training, Jim extensively studied the work of Auguste Escoffier, the first chef to commit the secrets of preparing French cuisine to written form. He also studied the works of Julia Child and enjoyed watching the Great Chefs of France and the Great Chefs of New York on public television.

Today, Chef Noble is known for his "new Southern cuisine" which features local and organic produce and proteins whenever possible. He has spent many years farm raising his own organic produce, chickens, rabbit and sheep. His menus bring classic favorites and new, inspired dishes to life with a modern day style that can transport the palate back to some of the South's most beloved cuisine.

Most recently, he opened Rooster's Wood-Fired Kitchen and Rooster's Wine Bar in Charlotte's SouthPark neighborhood. This new restaurant concept offers guests his unique perspective of what upscale casual dining should be.

More than 24 years after that first 55-seat restaurant, Chef Jim Noble is still pushing the limits of his vision to be the best. Using wood fired cooking, local farmers and organic ingredients, Jim is setting new standards and continues to develop a style that he calls "New Southern Cuisine"— a southern chef's interpretation of classic and rustic European cooking.

Jim and his wife, Karen, have three beautiful children, Margaux, Olivia and James III. Jim and Karen are the founders and operators of Restoration Word Ministries, www.healingfaith.org.