Roe’s Café & Catering, the culinary brainchild of Chef Olivia Pedroff, has officially reopened at its new location, 1100 94th Avenue North in St. Petersburg. Known for its globally inspired specials and community-focused service, Roe’s continues to build on its legacy as both a beloved café and full-service catering company.
For Chef Pedroff, the kitchen has always been home. Growing up in St. Petersburg with a Greek family deeply rooted in small business, she was immersed in the traditions of hospitality and culinary artistry from a young age. “There is no better memory than being in the kitchen,” Pedroff shared. “My grandpa taught me everything he knew, as well as my grandma. That’s where it started. Needless to say, that’s where my hospitality stems from.”
This passion for food was further refined during her high school years when a culinary instructor recognized her talent and encouraged her to intern at The Birchwood Restaurant. “I learned your textbook can only get you so far,” she reflected. “The guys and girls in the kitchen have ten different ways to do something, and you pick what works for you.”
Locally informed but globally inspired
Pedroff went on to attend Johnson & Wales University, where she studied culinary arts and entrepreneurship—a combination that serves as the backbone of Roe’s. “Culinarily, I would say my knowledge of cuisine is a big part of what makes our specials so unique,” she said. “It’s not about what I want to eat, but what others like. We serve locally informed but globally inspired dishes.” This ethos is evident in recent specials like gumbo inspired by New Orleans’ vibrant culinary traditions. “New Orleans food has genuine love flowing into it,” Pedroff added. “We try to go every year to get the juices flowing again.”…