Meet Roy Burks | Restaurant Owner and Chef

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

Hi Roy, where are your from? We’d love to hear about how your background has played a role in who you are today?
I’m Originally from Houston TX and grew up in an area called Hiram Clarke but went to elementary school in an area called Acres Homes because my mom taught at a school in the area. My parents then decided to move to Stafford Tx where I spent the remainder of my childhood. From day one in Stafford, it was a culture shock. When I arrived at Stafford, I had no idea how to interact or how to fit in. I chose the class clown route. As I got older and started being involved in more activities like sports, Fort Bend Boys choir and Boy Scouts of America. I learned how to be myself and make friends. Once I got to high school sports took the front seat though I was in band, chess club and math club. Moving to Stafford opened my eyes to so many different cultures and let me be able to learn a lot about different people and food at a very young age. My neighborhood consisted of mainly Filipinos, Vietnamese and Chinese. Going to neighbor’s house parties and meeting their family taught me so much. Being able to experience Asian food along with learning some southern classics from watching my mom cook everyday was the best culinary school life has to offer. From childhood friends I was able to meet so many more people. This opened the door to having so many opportunities to just cook for fun and join a few competitions. Through this I was able to create one of my signatures, a garlic butter sauce I named “The Boss Sauce” . This name came during a crawfish competition when I beat the previous year’s winner. He came up to me and said, “Congrats I’ve never tasted a sauce like that Boss”. From then on, the sauce was named the “Boss Sauce”. The Sauce is a blend of Cajun and Southern flavors I’ve learned from my Family along with some Vietnamese and Filipino dishes that I love. The combination of family and friends is what led me being able to create recipes and live out my dream of being an entrepreneur. I’m forever grateful and Proud to be from Stafford TX, a community that allowed me to be who I am today.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I’ve had to overcome a lot of situations in my lifetime. I was once homeless and had to start my life all over. For many years I had a very negative mindset. I spoke negativity into my life. After being homeless in Austin I moved back to Houston to pick up the pieces. I got started in the Oil and Gas industry and things were going good, but I still had a negative mindset and it caused me to continue to make many mistakes and bad choices. Finally, after a work trip to Madagascar I made it a goal to change my Mindset. I began to write down everything I wanted for myself. I began reading and working on myself. Two years later I’ve crossed off half of that list. I’ve learned to take pride and believe in who you are. To live for yourself and not others. This has allowed me to take the joy I have of cooking and serving people and create my restaurant Heads & Tails.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?

Malaysian at Phat Eatery

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would honestly be here all day if I had the chance to list everyone who has helped me along the way. My parents and my sister are my foundation. They have always been by my side even when I gave them reasons to not be. They inspire me every day and my love for them is my motivation to be the best I can be. I also must thank my SMK family.(South Meadows Kids) This group of men each have a place in my heart and have helped me become the person I am today. My best friend Earl Awayan was the first person to tell me to open a restaurant and he never stopped telling me until I did. Through all the stress of opening and day to day operations I must thank Tram Nguyen for keeping me sane and making sure I find time to have a life and enjoy life. Kevin Lee for helping me do crash course on the restaurant industry.  My Marketing team Open Lock has done a great job helping me introduce myself to the city.  Most importantly to the guy that has made my vision a reality Chef John Kincaid. He has brought in some amazing dishes and keeps our team together. . While all these people have made a huge impact the list definitely goes on.

Website: www.headsandtailshtx.com

Image Credits
Taylor Hayden