Chef Lee Frank, 46, is a celebrated chef and restaurateur from the Seacoast region of New Hampshire and Maine. A finalist on NBC’s Yes, Chef! Season 1, he’s known for his work at Otis. Restaurant and his popular burger joints. A two-time James Beard Award nominee, Lee has also appeared on Chopped and Beat Bobby Flay.
He lives in South Berwick, Maine, with his wife Brooke, who helps run their family-owned restaurants. The Yes, Chef! finale airs on June 29, when the winner will be officially announced.
Who is Chef Lee Frank from Yes Chef SN 1?
Chef Lee Frank is a professional chef and restaurateur based in the Seacoast area of New Hampshire and Maine. He is one of the finalist contestants on the NBC cooking competition series “Yes Chef! Season 1,” hosted by Martha Stewart and José Andrés. The show features chefs who have been nominated by others who believe something is holding them back from reaching their full potential, often related to their attitude or ego.
Table of Contents
What is their Real Name?
His real name is Lee Frank.
When and where were they born?
He was born on the West Coast and grew up in Los Angeles. He moved to San Francisco in 1997 to begin his cooking career. His current age is 46, which places his birth year around 1978 or 1979.
What is their Age?
As of June 2025, Chef Lee Frank is 46 years old.
Who is the chef lee frank on yes chef wife?
Chef Lee Frank’s wife is named Brooke Frank. She is actively involved in the business side of his restaurant, Lee Frank’s, and is often seen working at the front counter. They live in South Berwick, Maine, where they opened their burger joint. In a 2018 interview, he mentioned “taking the leap forward, with my wife pregnant with our second child, and open my own restaurant… Otis.”
What is the net worth of chef Lee Frank?
The exact net worth of Chef Lee Frank is not publicly available, but as a successful chef and owner of multiple restaurants, estimates suggest it is in the millions of dollars. He is currently a finalist contestant on NBC’s “Yes, Chef!”, where the winner receives a $250,000 prize.
Where is their Hometown?
His childhood home was Los Angeles. He currently calls South Berwick, Maine, his home, where he lives with his family.
What is their current occupation?
Chef Lee Frank is a chef and owner of multiple restaurants. His current primary ventures include:
- Otis. Restaurant in Exeter, NH.
- Lee Frank’s classic burger joints in Exeter, NH, and Wells and South Berwick, Maine.
What is their educational background?
While the exact details of his formal culinary education are not explicitly stated, he began cooking in San Francisco in 1997 and “cut his chops” at the famous Lark Creek Inn, working his way up to Sous Chef by age 25. This suggests significant on-the-job training and mentorship within established kitchens. He also mentioned being a “culinary student at one time” on “Yes, Chef!”.
Do they have any other professional experiences?
Yes, Chef Lee Frank has an extensive professional background in the culinary industry. His past roles include:
- Lark Creek Inn (San Francisco): Started cooking, worked his way up to Sous Chef.
- Bonta Restaurant (Hampton, NH): Executive Chef for three years.
- Brazo (Portsmouth, NH): Brief stint.
- MC Perkins Cove (Ogunquit, ME): Worked under Chefs Clark Fraiser and Mark Gaier, taking the helm of a busy kitchen and traveling.
- Arrows Restaurant (Ogunquit, ME): Executive Chef, focusing on fine food and restaurant operations.
- Anneke Jans: Executive Chef, learning and educating staff in all aspects of running a restaurant, and gaining business insight from owner Jason Canty.
He was also nominated for a James Beard Award for Best Chef in the Northeast in both 2024 and 2025, and previously appeared on “Chopped” and “Beat Bobby Flay,” winning on the latter.
Conclusion:
Chef Lee Frank is a talented and experienced chef who turned personal challenges into growth on Yes, Chef! Season 1. As a successful restaurateur and devoted family man, he’s proving that great leadership starts with self-awareness and passion — both in and out of the kitchen.
