COLUMBUS, Ohio, June 3, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- This summer Kahiki Foods will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Kahiki restaurant's opening. Though the restaurant lives on only in the hearts of Columbus residents, it inspired the founding of Kahiki Foods, which continues to thrive as a frozen food manufacturer.

In 1961, the Kahiki restaurant was opened in Columbus, OH, by Bill Sapp and Lee Henry. Outside the restaurant, patrons were greeted by giant tikis that welcomed them into a tropical interior with thatch huts and a tropical rainforest.

Twenty-seven years after its opening, Michael Tsao purchased the Kahiki restaurant. Seven years later, he founded Kahiki Foods, Inc. and opened a frozen food plant next door to the restaurant. In 2000, Tsao decided to sell the property the Kahiki restaurant sat on and focus his efforts on his vision to make Kahiki Foods the premiere provider of frozen Asian foods.

Tsao believed that every American should experience the food and culture of the Kahiki. He wanted to take Kahiki to the masses and do it in the freshest way possible. Because Kahiki products are immediately frozen after they are prepared, he believed this was the best path. Sadly, Tsao died ten weeks after Kahiki Foods moved in to a 119,000 square foot state-of-the-art facility in Gahanna, OH.

"He was barely able to see his dream come to fruition," said Tsao's son and Director of Research and Development at Kahiki Foods, Jeff Tsao. "But we aim to continue his legacy of providing extraordinary frozen Asian food."

Kahiki is dedicated to using authentic ingredients to make foods that are Asian-styled and great tasting. This dedication continues to be the driving force for Kahiki's chef-inspired products that provide customers with an extraordinary experience. Kahiki currently produces more than 70 products that can be found in retail grocery stores, membership warehouse clubs, convenience stores, and foodservice operations across the country.

SOURCE Kahiki Foods, Inc.

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