Ben Sukle
Gift Horse and Oberlin | Providence, RI
SEPTEMBER 2023
Born and raised in Central Pennsylvania,Ben Sukle got his start in the industry as a dishwasher and bun loader at Red Robin. In 2004, he enrolled at Johnson & Wales University in Providence, Rhode Island, cooking at La Laiterie in his spare time while spending summers working in kitchens in Savannah, Georgia and Washington, D.C. In his senior year at Johnson & Wales, he was appointed La Laiterie’s executive chef. Looking to expand his skills, Sukle made his way to Noma in Copenhagen, staging at the acclaimed restaurant, but he knew that Rhode Island was where he wanted to settle. He returned to the Ocean State and joined the opening team of The Dorrance, earning himself a spot on James Beard's list for Best New Chef.
In 2012, Sukle opened his first restaurant, Birch, an intimate chef’s counter serving modern American fare, and two years later was named a StarChefs Rising Star. In 2016, Sukle opened Oberlin, showcasing seasonally driven small plates with a focus on Narragansett Bay seafood and handmade pastas and breads. A Providence staple, Oberlin has not only made its mark on the city’s restaurant community, but it has also served as a training ground for emerging chefs. In 2023, Sukle opened his latest venture, Gift Horse, featuring a seafood-driven menu, a Rhode Island raw bar, and an extensive beverage program. Across all of his restaurants, Sukle has worked to share his experiences and knowledge as a chef and restaurateur with young chefs, passing along his passion and dedication to the Providence and wider Coastal New England restaurant community.
2023 StarChefs Coastal New England Mentor Chef Winner
2013 StarChefs Coastal New England Rising Stars Chef Award Winner
