Today we’d like to introduce you to Ken James. He and his team shared their story with us below:
Chef Ken is the co-owner and CEO of Plates On Deck, a catering and private chef business. He is a proud native of Queens, New York. Chef Ken developed a passion for food and culture at an early age.
He has worked as a Chef & Dietitian at YAI, a non-profit agency for adults with disabilities, from 2018 to 2020. He also was the Youth Program Specialist and the Culinary Program Director at the Boys Club of New York during the years of 2011 to 2018.
Chef Ken calls his cuisine “Eclectic Soul Food” which is the fusion of love, passion, and skill on a plate.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
My journey so far has been one full of twists and turns and hurdles. I have always been faced with challenges in my life. Whether it was watching my mother battle cancer (she kicked cancer’s A$$) or losing my family members at an early age, I have always been one to tighten up and push through. I have had to face several major changes in life, both personally and professionally. Plates On Deck was born out of my need to provide for my children because my three jobs at the time weren’t enough.
I had to jump in deep with no clue how to run a business. I just knew I loved to feed people and this was my dream. I am a firm believer that your gift will make room for you. Fast forward to 2019 after some years of selling plates and seafood boils on the side; Plates On Deck goes from being a hustle to an official business. At this point, things are looking up until… The world shuts down! My business partner, Ziomara, who is also my fiancee, and I had to choose to stay in New York or pack up our blended family and move to Florida for a fresh start.
This was possibly the toughest decision that I’ve had to make, but thankfully it is working in our favor. Three years later, Plates On Deck is proudly serving our “Eclectic Soul Food” across Central Florida and are excited to launch our Signature Seafood Boil Seasoning which is available on our website. One fact of life is that challenges will always come and go, but I will always tighten up and press through.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Plates On Deck?
The name of my company is Plates on Deck and we are home of eclectic soul food. What is Eclectic Soul Food?
That’s simple, think home cooking meets fine dining. We live at the intersection of love, food, and family. We take an elevated approach to soul food with our take on what we call: Southern Soul, Island Soul, Italian Soul, Latin Soul, Seafood Soul, and our very special Signature Eclectic Soul. Some of our most popular items are our Seafood Boils, Jumbo Crab Cakes, and Passa Passa Pasta just to name a few.
I love to blend food and flavors from different cultures that have influenced me. This allows me to create new and exciting dishes for every person I serve. I also draw my inspiration from some of the meals and moments that have meant the most to me. For example, my candied yams are my take on a Sunday dinner staple from my mom. My Jerk Shrimp Egg Rolls are a nod to my Caribbean heritage and a love of Asian cuisine that began as a young boy growing up in Flushing, NY.
What sets me apart from any and everyone else is that I treat every plate that I serve with love, passion, and soul. Wether it is at one of our catering or private dining experiences to cooking classes, farmers markets, or popup events, once you take that second bite you are family.
How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
I love to connect and collaborate with great people. Please feel free to reach out via email: info@myplatesondeck.com.
Contact Info:
- Website: myplatesondeck.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mychefken and https://www.instagram.com/myplatesondeckfl
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/myplatesondeckfl
- Other: https://goo.gl/maps/kmrZfZztxHRtVMJdA?coh=178571&entry=tt
Image Credits
@werlostboys
