Plates On Deck

01/29/2025

Have you heard of the Top Chef of Polk County event? If not, below is all the important details.

🗓️Monday, February 24, 2025
🕕6PM to 9PM
📍Bonnet Springs Park Event Venue
900 Bonnet Springs Blvd. Lakeland, FL 33815

Join us for a night of delicious food and fellowship while raising much-needed funds for children from birth through age five with special needs or who are at risk for developmental delays.

Ten chefs will create and prepare their signature dish (tapas-style) accompanied with a wine or libation that complements the flavors of the dish. Guests will enjoy a cash bar, silent and live auctions, live music, and of course, a tasting of signature dishes from Polk County’s leading Chefs. Guests will have the opportunity to try each Chef’s signature offering.

Guest judges will evaluate each Chef on their creation to award the title of “Top Chef of Polk County 2025.” In addition, guests will vote for the most popular item to win the “Community Choice” title. The Community Leader that raises the most funds for Achievement Academy through donated auction item(s), special events, and online voting will earn the “Top Philanthropic” award. Chefs will sample each signature dish prior to the event to vote for the “Chefs’ Choice” award.

Meet Chef Ken James, the creative force behind and a champion of "Eclectic Soul Food"!

Born and raised in Queens, NY, Chef Ken's culinary journey began with inspiration from the women who shaped his cooking and the vibrant cultural flavors of his community. A self-taught chef, he founded Plates on Deck in 2019 and brought his unique style to Central Florida in 2020.

Operating out of Catapult Lakeland, Plates on Deck offers catering, private chef services, and pop-up dining experiences that celebrate global comfort food with a soulful twist.

Chef Ken is also a culinary student at Valencia College and gained national recognition as a featured chef on Food Network’s The Great Food Truck Race (Season 17). Driven by passion, creativity, and a mission to inspire, he’s dedicated to paving the way for the next generation of culinary entrepreneurs.

Follow Chef Ken’s journey and experience the magic of Plates on Deck!

01/29/2025

Ladies, this is an event you don’t want to miss!

Register and come join us at the EmpowerHER Heart event hosted by Lakeland Regional Health on Saturday, 2/8 between 9am-11am at Bonnet Springs Park.

Join us for EmpowerHer Heart, Saturday, February 8 from 9 - 11AM hosted by Lakeland Regional Health! This special event is all about women’s heart health, featuring FREE screenings and educational sessions. Bring your dancing shoes and an appetite, Hallback Dress & Cover is teaching a line dancing class and Plates On Deck will be serving up delicious offerings! Don’t miss this day filled with wellness, fitness, and fun. RSVP now to secure your spot! https://www.mylrh.org/event/empowerher/

11/03/2024

Mama, we MADE it!!! 📰✨

Thank you for featuring Plates On Deck in the infamous Made issue of The Lakelander!

Go and grab the latest issue of (or click on the link in bio) to read more about how it all started, learn about owners Ken & Ziomara, and get a behind the scene look on filming ’s season 17 of The Great Food Truck Race Season.

Beyond grateful! 💛

11/03/2024

🍂November Pop-Up Schedule🍂

This month we’re popping up in Tampa for the Tailgate Party for the and game.

Dixieland Night Market |
📍1023 S Florida Ave
🗓️Friday, November 8
🕕6PM - 11PM

Tampa Niner Tailgate Party
📍Raymond James Stadium Lot 14
🗓️Sunday, November 10
🕘9:30AM - 12PM

Vintful Dream Sunday Market |
📍946 E Orange St, Lakeland |
🗓️Sunday, November 17
🕚11AM - 2PM

11/02/2024

We’ll be offering up our Eclectic Soul Food at the Tampa Ninerempire’s Tailgate Party (Lot 14) for the epic Tampa Bay Buccaneers and San Francisco 49ers game on Sunday, November 10th from 9:30am - 12pm. 🏉

09/06/2024

We’re so excited to announce that will be participating in the Central Florida Food Fest on Saturday, October 19th from 1pm - 7pm at . 🍽️✨

This is an event you don’t want to miss! Go ahead and get your early bird tickets today!🎟️ .

This event features exclusive dishes from Polk County’s best restaurants 🍽️, perfectly paired drinks🍹, live entertainment 🎶, a vibrant marketplace 🛍️, and special offers. Even better? Every bite and sip contributes to the programs, events, and sustainability of the Park. We hope to see you there!

Purchase your tickets today! - https://centralfloridafoodfest.com/
*This event is for 21+. The Park will be closed to the general public for the day.

09/06/2024

We’re so excited to announce that we will be participating in the Central Florida Food Fest on Saturday, October 19th from 1pm - 7pm at Bonnet Springs Park!

This is an event you don’t want to miss! Get your early bird tickets today! https://centralfloridafoodfest.com

07/25/2024

Did you know Plates On Deck also offers private chef services? From a small birthday party to an intimate date night, Chef Ken will come to you and provide a one of a kind dining experience. 👨🏾‍🍳🍽️💫

07/20/2024

Thank you LkldNow for interviewing ! 💛 Please visit the LkldNow’s website for the full article to learn more about Plates On Deck and our experience on The Great Food Truck Race.

The owners of Lakeland-based Catapult business Plates on Deck are competing on the 17th season of The Great Food Truck Race. Ken James, 37, and Ziomara Taveras, 41, are among nine teams vying for a $50,000 grand prize on the Food Network show.

07/10/2024

Oh no! Who spilled the milk? 😮

07/04/2024

Check out Chef Ken in the kitchen with Dinner DeeAs at FOX 13 News - Tampa Bay. It was great showing Chef Jeff Philbin how to make our Cajun crab cakes and chatting about Food Network’s !

If you want to catch the show and grab our crab cake recipe, head over to their website!

07/02/2024

06/30/2024

We’re excited to share our “love, passion & skill on a plate”!
Come to our pop-up tomorrow in Downtown Lakeland from 4PM - 7:30PM.

On the menu, we’ll have the dish featured on this week’s episode of the ’s . We’ll also have the delicious Crab Cake Sandwich that was featured on and some other popular items from .

WATCH PARTY STARTS AT 8PM! 🎥🍿
Make sure to reserve your seat if you haven’t already and come early so that you can enjoy the lovely ambience we’re putting together. ✨

06/28/2024

Check out what's been cooking! Kitchen Member Plates on Deck is hosting a pop-up AND a watch party as they were seen on Food Network’s The Great Food Truck Race: Games on the Gulf !

Pop up: June 30th, 4pm-7:30pm
Friends & Family Watch Party: June 30th, 8pm-10pm

We hope to see you there and good luck to !

06/27/2024

Thank you 10 Tampa Bay Great Day Live Tampa Bay for having us! had fun going live with . 🎥

Didn’t catch the live? No worries! You can watch the full interview on Great Day Live Tampa Bay’s website. We chatted about the that will be airing this Sunday, June 30th at 8PM on Food Network and streaming on Max!

06/26/2024

Thanks for sharing, Valencia College!