Today we’d like to introduce you to Ken Roe
Hi Ken, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Yes, of course! Thanks so much for having me! I was born and raised in West Ashley. I moved to Maui, Hawaii in the ’80s to surf and start working in restaurants which is where I met my beautiful wife Pam. We moved back to Charleston in the ’90s to start our family, and we’ve called the Lowcountry home ever since. In 2021 we opened Shaka Shrimp food truck, the only Hawaiian-style shrimp truck in Charleston.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I would be lying if I said it was an easy path to owning my own food truck. When I moved back to Charleston, I changed careers to real estate to provide a better life for my family. But, I realized that it wasn’t the life I was meant to have.
There were many roadblocks to making Shaka Shrimp happen. It was my family and I’s pandemic brainchild, and we went through numerous concept iterations before we decided on the business we have today. Once we finally started the truck, that brought a whole new set of challenges. Even with my and my wife’s decades of restaurant experience, nothing could’ve prepared us for the many hurdles we had to jump to open Shaka Shrimp.
I’m a chef at heart, but it takes so much more to run a successful truck. I work my butt off on the line at every shift, and Pam does an incredible job juggling the logistical challenges that come with running a truck, from scheduling events to getting all of our licenses in order. You wouldn’t believe the kind of paperwork it takes to operate in every county in the Lowcountry. Needless to say, Shaka Shrimp has been a labor of love. And I’m so lucky that I have my family here to help me make it happen. I couldn’t do it without them.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Before Shaka Shrimp, I worked in the restaurant business for 40+ years managing restaurants in New York, California, and Hawaii for The Chart House Restaurants. I worked my way up to General Manager over the years and hired and trained over 300 employees and a dozen other managers. I was most known for my leadership skills and opening the Chart House’s flagship restaurant in Weehawken, New Jersey.
Currently, I’m the chef and co-owner of Shaka Shrimp food truck. I am incredibly proud to help my wife showcase her beautiful cultural through our food. At Shaka Shrimp we do our best to bring the spirit of aloha to the Lowcountry. We serve what’s called a plate lunch, a standard Hawaiian meal consisting of a protein, white rice, potato macaroni salad, and a veggie. All of our shrimp dishes are inspired by island flavors. You can find us at the different local markets and events all around Charleston. Our most up-to-date schedule is on our website and social media pages.
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
I think networking in the restaurant industry can feel very different to people who are used to other types of business like tech or finance. Restaurant work is a beast, and finding an experienced mentor can be difficult in an industry full of corporations set on taking the soul out of cooking. What worked for me back in the day, and what I’d argue still holds true is to start from the bottom up. Get a job washing dishes and go from there. It’s really important to learn a kitchen inside and out and that starts with the dirty work. Build rapport with the front and back of house and hone your people skills. Restaurants and food trucks don’t exist without the customers. Shaka Shrimp wouldn’t still be around today without our faithful regulars. It’s the people that keep coming back for our food that keeps our truck running, and it’s important to keep that in mind for anyone looking to open their own business.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://shakashrimp.com
- Instagram: shakashrimp_chs
- Facebook: shakashrimp
Image Credits
Shaka Shrimp LLC
