Today we’d like to introduce you to LeRaina Xiao. They and their team shared their story with us below:
LeRaina Xiao was a visionary entrepreneur who loved food, travel, and adventure. She had always dreamed of creating a culinary empire that would allow people around the world to relive the most memorable moments through their palates. And that’s exactly what she did with Chef 21. LeRaina’s passion for food and desire to create something unique led her to launch Chef 21 Sushi Burger in Simpsonville, South Carolina, along with her partners Young Liu, Levy, Xin, and Tao. The restaurant was an instant hit, with its innovative fusion of sushi and burgers capturing food lovers’ imaginations everywhere. But LeRaina and her team didn’t stop there. They continued to push the boundaries of culinary creativity, opening two new locations in downtown Greenville: Chef 21 Sushi Burger & Korean BBQ and Chef 21 Tea Republic. Walking into Chef 21 Sushi Burger & Korean BBQ was like stepping into the future. The restaurant featured a futuristic design with sushi omakase and a sukiyaki pot in the center of the table. The sukiyaki pot was a special memory for LeRaina, and she loved sharing it with her customers. It was a fun and interactive way to enjoy a meal with family and friends. And if you wanted to escape the hustle and bustle of the city and feed your soul, you could walk through the “space tunnel” to Chef 21 Tea Republic. The waterfall tea table, snowflake ice, and glass of wine were the perfect antidote to a busy day. LeRaina and her team were passionate about their work, which showed in every aspect of their restaurants. They were always looking for new ways to push the boundaries of culinary creativity and offer their customers something unique. And with the soft opening of Chef 21 Sushi Burger & Korean BBQ just around the corner and the grand opening of Chef 21 Tea Republic not far behind, there was no doubt that Chef 21 was going to continue to thrive and grow, bringing new culinary experiences to people around the world.
We all face challenges, but would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
This project took over a year to complete, with many surprises and moving parts. We worked with many artists worldwide; many pieces were hand-crafted abroad. You can see the great giant moon dome lightly hand-crafted in China and the 12 feet waterfall tea table made from a camphor tree—a very rare and fragrant wood.
Let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am an imaginative and daring entrepreneur who infuses my restaurants with personality and shares the stories behind our culinary creations. Our goal is to spread joy to our guests. We were struck by the breathtaking pink sand and crystal-clear water during a recent trip to the Bahamas. A local driver introduced us to a charming conch restaurant along the shore, where we tried a must-have Bahamian dish – conch ceviche. We observed the chef clean the conch with a brush before carving out the meat and slicing it into small cubes. The chef then added chopped onions and tomatoes to a bowl and sprinkled them with spices and a freshly squeezed splash of lime juice. The fragrance of the lime wafted through the air as the dish came together – it was divine! We added a twist of tropical mango to create our version of this flavorful dish, which will soon appear on our menu. Does this dish transport you back to your Bahamian vacation? If not, a sake bomb will do the trick!
Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc.?
So many big travel channels, TikTok, shows like Drink Masters and Taste the Nation, and most importantly, friends and family have supported this journey. Some clients watched me starting the first restaurant, and now we are so close that I invite them to my private invitation-only Chinese New Year’s party every year.
Pricing:
- House wine 6
- Wagyu – marketplace
- Lunch starts at 11
- Chef’s 15-course gastronomic world omakase goes up to $185/person. Reservation only
- Appetizers begin at 12, and desserts around 8. Bubble tea at 6
Contact Info:
- Website:chef21sk.net
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chef21_koreanbbq/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chef21mcbee
Image Credits
Ridge Media
