Chef Alex Smith is the Executive Chef of Urban Oak, which sits atop the dual branded Homewood Suites and Tempo by Hilton Raleigh Downtown, bringing over a decade of culinary expertise to one of Raleigh’s newest dining destinations. With a background in fine dining, menu development, and kitchen leadership, he has helmed acclaimed restaurants across the country. As Chef de Cuisine at Parallax Restaurant in Mammoth Lakes, CA, he led kitchen operations, from innovative menu design to staff development, ensuring high culinary standards in a high-demand setting. His experience in research and development with Union Square Hospitality expanded his expertise in recipe creation, ingredient sourcing, and global culinary collaborations. Previously, at Milk and Roses in Brooklyn, he reimagined the restaurant’s Italian-focused menu, earning recognition in travel guidebooks. Passionate about mentorship, food sustainability, and operational excellence, Smith is committed to making Urban Oak a dynamic and memorable dining experience for guests in Raleigh.

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⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Founded in 2016, the mission of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Ben's Friends ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠is to offer hope, fellowship, and a path forward to anyone who struggles with substance abuse or addiction. By coming together, starting a dialogue, and acknowledging that substance abuse cannot be overcome by isolation and willpower alone, Ben's Friends hopes to write a new chapter in the lives of food and beverage professionals across the country.