Sheldon Simeon
School: Hilo High School
Career: Chef | Entrepreneur, Owner of Tin Roof Maui
When the day to open Tin Roof Restaurant finally came, Chef Sheldon Simeon had $2 left in his bank account. He had put everything into the mom & pop shop. However, this state of vulnerability wasn’t unfamiliar to Sheldon.
Just like any other chef, Sheldon worked his way up to opening his own restaurant. He had spent time as a dishwasher and prep cook, and he eventually became the head chef of Aloha Mixed Plate. Sheldon slowly gained recognition during his time at Lāhainā’s Star Noodle, earning two nominations from the prestigious James Beard Awards.
One day while working at Star Noodle, Sheldon received a random call from Bravo TV’s Top Chef. Scouts had been looking for talented chefs to compete in the show’s season 10.
He couldn’t believe it. Sheldon’s excitement and shock were soon met with feelings of doubt and anxiety. He started to question himself—”Top Chef? That’s for superstars. I’m just a local kid from Hawaiʻi.”
Ultimately, Sheldon would decide to fly to L.A. and compete on the show, forever changing the course of his career.
+ Advice from Sheldon Simeon
Growing up in Hawaiʻi, you're taught to be humble, to be soft spoken. Sometimes that works against us. It works in self-doubt. Sometimes you got to get out there. You have all this talent in the world, but if you're not willing to be vulnerable and push through it all, you're not going to get the opportunity.
