Benson was born into a family of third-generation restauranteurs and distillers. In his home, the typical salutation is “are you hungry?” Hospitality is in his blood and what he loves. As a child, Benson would sneak into the restaurant dining room and be mesmerized by the sights, sounds and unadulterated emotion around each table. He saw firsthand how food fostered community and connection. After graduating from UCLA and working in corporate finance, Benson left in 2013 to return to his roots. As the co-founder and CEO of Palm House Hospitality, Benson oversees the ownership and operations of seven concepts in restaurants, bars, nightlife and lodging.