Today we’d like to introduce you to Kendric Smith.
Kendric, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I was born and raised in Charleston, South Carolina, a city where food, family, and Southern hospitality are a way of life. Growing up around Lowcountry favorites like shrimp and grits, red rice, seafood, and other Southern classics helped shape my love and appreciation for food.
My journey as Chef Kendric started with a genuine passion for cooking and creating meals that brought people together. What began as something I loved doing grew into Chef Kendric Private Services, where I was able to turn that passion into a business and build my own identity as a chef.
Over the years, I developed a style that combines my Southern roots with influences from Italian and Greek cuisine, while seafood has become one of the signatures of my cooking. That creativity eventually inspired my motto, “I Seafood Differently.”
My journey has grown far beyond simply preparing meals. I’ve had the opportunity to provide private dining experiences, cater weddings, birthdays, corporate events, retreats, and other special occasions while serving clients both locally and outside of South Carolina. I’ve also been able to share some of my recipes and continue developing the Chef Kendric brand beyond catering.
Building a business hasn’t always been easy. There have been long days, sacrifices, lessons, setbacks, and plenty of learning along the way. But every experience has helped me grow—not only as a chef, but as a businessman, husband, father, and person.
Today, I’m proud of what I’ve built, but I don’t believe my story is finished. I’m continuing to grow the Chef Kendric brand, explore new opportunities, and find new ways to share my food and creativity with people. What started with a love for cooking has become something much bigger, and I’m grateful for every person who has supported me along the journey.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The road has definitely not always been smooth. Building Chef Kendric Private Services has required a lot of sacrifice, patience, faith, and perseverance.
One of my biggest challenges has been learning how to balance being a chef, business owner, husband, and father while still making time for myself. When you own a catering business, people often only see the finished product—the beautiful setup, the food, and the happy clients. They don’t see the long hours of planning, shopping, prepping, cooking, traveling, setting up, cleaning, managing staff, and handling the business side behind the scenes.
There have also been financial challenges. In the catering industry, business can be unpredictable. Some months are extremely busy while others can be slower, but the expenses of operating a business don’t stop. I’ve had to learn how to manage those seasons, make adjustments, and continue believing in what I was building.
Another challenge has been learning that you can’t please everyone. As a business owner, I’ve had to learn how to value my work, set boundaries, handle criticism, learn from mistakes, and understand that every opportunity or client may not be the right fit.
There have been moments when I questioned whether I wanted to continue, but my faith, my family, and the support of the people who believe in me have helped keep me moving forward. Every challenge has taught me something and made me stronger.
I’m still learning and evolving today. I don’t look at the difficult moments as failures. I look at them as part of the journey that helped shape the chef, businessman, husband, father, and person I am today.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am the chef and owner of Chef Kendric Private Services, a Charleston-based private dining and catering company. I specialize in creating elevated Southern cuisine and memorable dining experiences for private dinners, weddings, birthdays, corporate events, retreats, brunches, and other special occasions.
My cooking is rooted in the flavors I grew up around in Charleston, but I also incorporate Italian and Greek influences and my own creative approach. Seafood has become a major part of my identity as a chef, which inspired one of the phrases associated with my brand: “I Seafood Differently.” I’m known for taking familiar Southern dishes and presenting them in a way that feels elevated while still giving people the flavor and comfort they expect.
What sets me apart is that I don’t believe catering is just about putting good food on a plate. I create an experience. From developing the menu and preparing the food to presentation, buffet design, table displays, and service, I pay attention to the details that guests remember long after an event is over.
I’m especially proud that I built Chef Kendric Private Services from my passion for cooking and turned it into a brand that has allowed me to serve people throughout Charleston and travel to other cities and states for events. Every time someone trusts me to be part of a wedding, birthday, anniversary, retreat, or other important moment in their life, I don’t take that responsibility lightly.
I’m also proud that my vision continues to grow beyond catering. I’m developing the Chef Kendric brand through my recipes, seasonings, sauces, social media, and other opportunities that allow me to share my creativity with people who may never attend one of my events.
At the end of the day, I want people to remember more than what they ate. I want them to remember how the entire experience made them feel.
Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
One of my biggest resources in life is actually my faith. The Bible helps keep me grounded and reminds me to have faith, remain patient, and trust God through both the good seasons and the challenging ones.
One podcast I enjoy is The Joe Budden Podcast. I appreciate the conversations about music, culture, business, relationships, and everyday life. I enjoy hearing different perspectives and personalities discuss topics openly, even when everyone doesn’t agree.
From a business and creative standpoint, I use Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube regularly. Social media allows me to stay inspired, see what other chefs and entrepreneurs are creating, learn new techniques, follow trends, and most importantly, connect with people through my own work.
I also believe strongly in learning from other entrepreneurs. Sometimes the best education comes from listening to someone’s story—their successes, mistakes, struggles, and lessons learned along the way.
I’m always looking for opportunities to learn and grow. Whether it’s spiritually, personally, creatively, or as a businessman, I believe you should never get to a point where you think you know everything. There’s always another level.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.chefkendric.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chefkendric/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChefKendric/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChR4-A4GYzTFAOar23amm6Q
