Culinary Excellence Rooted in North Carolina
Born and raised in North Carolina’s Triad region, Chef Jim Noble opened his first restaurant, J. Basul Noble, in his hometown of High Point in 1983 laying the foundation for what would become a lifelong pursuit of culinary excellence. His innovative spirit led him to introduce new flavors and techniques to the Triad and the greater South throughout the following 40 years of his career.
As a college student at Clemson University, one of the first things Chef Noble learned to cook were baguettes, carefully crafted in his on-campus apartment. Years later, when Chef Noble struggled to find great bread for his restaurants in the early days, he took matters into his own hands, starting his own bakery - now known as Copain - back in 1984.
French-Inspired, Artisan-Made
Copain is a boulangerie-style bakery and stands as a testament to the time-honored methods of European bakers, where patience, technique, and high-quality ingredients come together to create something truly special. Putting a focus on organic, naturally leavened breads that take days to perfect, Copain embodies Noble’s belief that good food should be both nourishing and deeply flavorful. In fact, the bakery’s sourdough starter is over 30 years old, giving each loaf a distinctive depth of flavor.
Shaping the Culinary Landscape of the Triad
Beyond bread, Noble’s influence on the Triad’s culinary scene is undeniable, whether through introducing refined Southern cuisine, shaping the region’s fine dining landscape, or mentoring the next generation of chefs and bakers. Through it all, he remains steadfast in his philosophy of simplicity and integrity, creating food that not only tastes good but tells a story of tradition, craftsmanship, and community.
Noble Food & Pursuits: Service Beyond the Table
Today, Chef Noble is the head of Noble Food & Pursuits, a restaurant group that operates five concepts and various locations across Winston-Salem and Charlotte - Rooster's Wood-Fired Kitchen, Copain Bakery, Noble Smoke, Bossy Beulah's and The Jimmy. Each concept offers a new way for Chef Noble to combine his love for food with his love for community, serving others beyond the table.
