We had the good fortune of connecting with Sharone Hakman and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Sharone, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
When I started Chef Hak’s, my thought process was driven by the idea of having more control of my own destiny. Working for someone else’s dream just stopped being fulfilling. My passion for bringing real, high-quality food to more people fueled this dream. I wanted to create products that were flavorful, approachable, and made with clean ingredients. Having grown up surrounded by my grandmother’s incredible cooking, my foundation was rooted in real, delicious, soul-comforting food. I eventually realized that my passion for food was more than just a hobby. Thanks to my time competing on MasterChef and the opportunities that arose from the show, I became very aware of the gap in the market for chef-driven products with bold flavors that could also provide convenience. My goal was to make everyday meals feel elevated without compromising on quality or health.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My journey with Chef Hak’s is rooted in a deep love for food and a desire to bring elevated flavors to the table. What sets our brand apart is the emphasis on chef-driven recipes—bold, unique flavor profiles made from clean, high-quality ingredients. It hasn’t been easy; there were countless obstacles, from production challenges to getting our products on the shelves. But I’ve always stayed true to my vision and pushed forward with persistence and passion. Through this process, I’ve learned the importance of resilience and adaptability. My goal is to show that convenience doesn’t have to come at the expense of great taste or integrity. I want Chef Hak’s to be known for providing real, honest food that connects people and creates memorable experiences around the table.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Simple: FOOD CRAWL. I do this often with friends who visit. We stop by all of my favorite little spots all over Los Angeles. Most of them are hole in the walls run by people who make the best of their cuisine. We have just one or two samples of their best offerings and then move onto the next spot. I love it because it really highlights what makes Los Angeles great: diversity. We are so rich in different cultures here and the best way to experience that is through FOOD!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My grandmother. For teaching me about food and cooking as expressions of love.

Website: https://www.haks.com

Instagram: @eathaks

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutLA is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.