Aaron Lemieux - Executive Chef of 39 Rue de Jean

Aaron Lemieux took an interest in cooking at a young age in his home town of Plainfield CT. working at a local Italian restaurant throughout high school. In 2000, he moved to South Carolina to study Computer Technology at the University of South Carolina. To earn extra money, Lemieux worked lead line at a lakeside restaurant. It was then that he realized his true passion and consequently, made the move to Charleston to pursue an education in the culinary arts.

Lemieux enrolled in the Culinary Institute of Charleston and studied under some of the best chefs in the world including his mentor the late William Stacks. After graduating in 2005, he began working at Magnolias under Donald Barickman and Donald Drake who are widely respected as pioneers in the Charleston culinary scene. Advancing quickly, he soon became butcher and later Sous Chef. In 2007, Lemieux joined 39 Rue de Jean where now serves as Executive Chef.

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Daren Wolfe - Operating Partner

R. Daren Wolfe has been working in the food and beverage industry for 27 years. A University of Tennessee graduate, having been admitted on a full music scholarship he acquired degrees in Theology, Psychology, as well as a Business Minor.

Wolfe has worked in a management capacity in Knoxville, TN, Hilton Head, SC, Lake Tahoe, CA, Atlanta, GA and Charleston, SC. While in Hilton Head, he managed at the Westin at Port Royal Sound, at the time one of only two five star five diamond resorts on the East Coast.

Upon moving to Charleston Wolfe was employed with The Woodlands, a five diamond resort whose dining room was also rated a perfect score of 100 by Conde Naste. Wolfe achieved much success as the General Manager of McCrady’s, voted Restaurant of the Year by the Post and Courier. Shortly after starting his own consulting business in 2001, he joined Coast Bar and Grill as G.M., and later became General Manager of 39 Rue de Jean.

In the summer of 2004, he accepted the position of Director of Operations for Holy City Hospitality, and commenced to launch Good Food Catering. In the fall of 2005, Wolfe became the Operating Partner of Holy City Hospitality. Since then, the hospitality group has expanded, launching its third restaurant, Virginia’s on King, in December of ’07.

“The food and beverage industry is in my blood and I really enjoy working with people. I couldn't imagine not being in the fast paced, highly demanding hospitality field. I hire managers that consequently hire employees that are passionate about the industry and are proud of their accomplishments. I believe that we are in the best business in the world as everyday brings something new,” he says of his experience and love for his work.

R. Daren Wolfe is married to Kirsten Wolfe with one daughter, Sophia Elise. He enjoys spending as much time with his family in the great outdoors as possible.