An emerging entrepreneur in the food and beverage industry, Tyler Veron Kanwai has excelled as the owner and chef of TK’s Surf and Turf Kitchen since its establishment in 2020. Located in Denver, Colorado, the restaurant offers several seafood dishes, such as shrimp, lobster tail, crab and crawfish. Mr. Kanwai’s restaurant is especially renowned for its signature dish, “The Works,” which was recognized on “The Denver Food Scene” account on TikTok, achieving over one million views in less than 24 hours.
Opening TK’s Surf and Turf Kitchen during the COVID-19 pandemic, Mr. Kanwai successfully secured a storefront and, subsequently, departed from his job with Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield to pursue entrepreneurship on a full-time basis. Though initially inexperienced in the field of business ownership, Mr. Kanwai practiced his cooking skills, lending itself to the success of the restaurant. To this end, he credits much of his success to the formative influence of his father, who is a former chef and taught Mr. Kanwai the intricacies of the craft.
Impressively, TK’s Surf and Turf Kitchen is highlighted as Colorado’s first Black-owned seafood restaurant. In the coming years, Mr. Kanwai intends to franchise the business, having already been a host to a myriad of guests who have traveled across the globe to taste his cuisine. To wit, some of his acclaimed guests have included celebrities, professional athletes, famous musicians, politicians and social media influencers. In September 2022, TK’s Surf and Turf Kitchen was one of 30 restaurants to be chosen to participate in “The Tasting of the Broncos,” a statewide event that brings together Colorado-based restaurants and patrons to taste food and be afforded the opportunity to meet the football team, the Denver Broncos. He was also interviewed by the Denver Post, highlighted in Bloomberg Magazine and featured on “The David Rubenstein Show” in 2022. Most recently, in February 2023, TK’s Surf and Turf Kitchen was recognized by the NBA as one of 10 Black-owned restaurants in Colorado.
Outside of his primary career ventures, Mr. Kanwai is a member of the Odom Memorial Church of God in Christ in Denver. He attributes much of his career success to his Christian faith, as well as the support and encouragement of his family.