In a place where Alaskan legends like Jay Hammond and Hugh Malone first discussed creating Alaska’s permanent fund and Don Gilman and Wally Hickel shared visions for a trans Alaska gas line to Kenai, you can now enjoy the tastes of original Alaskan desserts from award winning dessert chef Bobbi England of Kenai Catering. Originally the Sheffield House in Kenai the former Kenai Merit Inn was purchased last year by Steve and Bobbi England who have restored the building to its former glory and remodeled the interior to meet the community’s needs as it progresses into the 21st Century. “We’ve been working on it hard all year to get to this day and we’re excited to have our doors open and to have welcomed the Kenai Chamber here as our first re-opening event,” said Steve at last week’s Chamber luncheon.

In addition to the remodeled banquet room Kenai Catering is opening the first dessert shop on the Peninsula. “A dessert shop is not a bakery, don’t expect donuts for your morning coffee, this is a dessert shop where you’ll be able to come and pick up not only fresh baked and homemade desserts but we will be offering for the first time some of our signature items like the Chocolate Oh and the Chocolate Espresso Cheesecake that you can take home for your dinner or party or sit down and enjoy right here in our new shop. You’ll also be able to have a real old fashioned banana split like the one’s your grandparents talk about getting at the old fashioned soda fountains,” said Bobbi. The new dessert shop will be open primarily in the afternoon or evening or by reservation.

Kenai Catering is looking forward to a busy summer of catering community events on site but say they are happy to now own their own facility and be able to accommodate events of various sizes, “We feel the renovations will return the popularity of the banquet room and that many folks might rather save the muss and fuss of their event by coming to this wonderful and historic building and build wonderful memories of special occasions that are the trademark of this locations. We’ll be offering what we have become well known for in our lunch and dinner buffets, our fantastic prime rib which I modestly say is the best in the area. With the make-over we feel weddings will return to the facility and it’ll become a popular place for meeting and special events of all kinds,” added England.

In 2011 Kenai Catering was awarded the Kenai Chamber of Commerce Small Business of the Year award and in 2013 recognized by the Soldotna Chamber of Commerce as the Small Business of the Year. Kenai Catering is a full service caterer providing fresh flavorful cuisine and professional service. The banquet room hosts parties up to about 100 guests. Kenai Catering also provides catering to almost any location throughout the Kenai/Soldotna area with menus ranging from simple drop off lunches to exquisite hors d’oeuvres parties and full banquets and barbecues of 500 guests or more. For more information call Bobbi at 907-252-0404 or visit their website at kenaicatering.com.