Shima's Jerky Chips is a passion project born from the love of travel and an experiment with an heirloom dehydrator. Marc Shimamoto, maker and founder of Shima’s Jerky Chips, loves to travel. And like most wanderlust travelers, seeking delicious foods that surprise and delight is a priority for Marc.
In 2012, while visiting family in Hawaii, Marc discovered an interesting type of local beef jerky. This jerky had a fun, modern twist - it was thin and crunchy! Marc loved the taste and texture; was an instant fan — so much so that he tried to order the snack when he was back on the mainland. As it turned out, the Pacific Ocean posed a big challenge and the expensive cost and extensive time it would take to get his mail-order chips weighed heavily on him. Then he rediscovered his late grandmother’s old dehydrator. Her hobby of making dried fruits and vegetables gave Marc an idea. What if he made his own jerky chips instead? That was the beginning of the story; he is far from the end! Today, with easy access, Bay Area locals and an increasing multitude of fans across the country are enjoying these protein packed umami flavored beef crisps on a regular basis.
