Chef Ken and Aki Ballogdajan are a sibling duo that has been immersed in the restaurant industry since their early years. They began working at their grandparents' restaurant, Kyoko's, in Cleveland Park, and later at their parents' Cafe Kyoko in Frederick, MD. In 2018, they launched their first restaurant together, KENAKI Sushi Counter in Gaithersburg, where Ken showcased his 25 years of culinary experience, and Aki took on the role of General Manager, having left her software career to co-found the restaurant.

Their success didn't stop there. In late 2020, they opened AKO by KENAKI, their second restaurant concept, at The Roost food hall on Capitol Hill. This new venture was named after their late mother, who was affectionately known as AKO.

Before launching KENAKI Sushi Counter, Ken left the DC area to work as the Corporate Executive Sous Chef at OOF Restaurant in Puerto Rico, where he competed alongside Chef Roberto Trevino on the first season of Food Network's "Iron Chef America." After returning in 2005, he earned a finance degree before attending L'Academie de Cuisine for culinary school. During his time there, he completed an internship with Chef Bryan Voltaggio at the renowned VOLT in Frederick, MD.

As General Manager and Co-Owner of KENAKI Sushi Counter, Aki manages the restaurant's front-of-house operations. Although she spent the last 15 years in the tech industry, Aki welcomed back the restaurant world and joined forces with her brother to open KENAKI Sushi Counter in 2018.

Together, the third-generation restaurant owners continue to innovate and delight diners with their delicious, high-quality Japanese cuisine at KENAKI Sushi Counter, AKO by KENAKI, and their latest venture, KEMA at Cabin John Village.