Lene Houck

Born and raised in Horsens, Denmark, Chef/Owner Lene recalls most fondly the many impromptu meals cooked at home for friends and family and of helping out on her uncle’s farm as a girl. After several years of globetrotting for work and exploring her passion for the flavors and techniques of world cuisine, she settled in New York City and accepted her first chef’s role in 1995.

Moving to Los Angeles in 2000, Lene found her way back to the restaurant industry, and with her husband Mark, she founded the highly successful boutique catering company Food By Lene in 2003. Ten years later, they moved their catering kitchen from Venice to West Adams and after noticing the shortage of fresh food in their neighborhood, launched Open Face Food Shop in 2018. A farm-to-table casual sandwich shop, their revamped 1959 hotdog stand now serves not only the flavors Lene grew up within Denmark but the best seasonal fare from our amazing local family farmers.