With the help of 4-year-old Isabella Havrilla of Soldotna, Kenai Mayor Pat Porter cut the ribbon to officially open Bobbi and Steve England’s new “Gotta’ Have Desserts” at their Kenai Catering location which is the original building that housed the historic Sheffield House in Kenai. Having sold her famous cinnamon rolls and cookies for a year for thousands of dollars that all went to charity, Mayor Pat Porter was delighted to preside over the grand opening, “Sure because that means that I can retire from the cinnamon rolls and cookies, this is exciting and a great new business for our All America City of Kenai. I remember coming to this place when I was a kid and there was only a dirt road here. It’s just great to see what the England’s have done to preserve this location, Bobbi and Steve have had a great vision and now it’s a reality for us all to enjoy,” said Mayor Porter in an interview with the Dispatch.
Having undergone a complete renovation and remodel the new dessert shop offers a unique variety of confections for everyone who “Gotta’ Have Desserts!” At Monday’s official ribbon cutting award winning dessert chef Bobbi England said the shop is a dream come true, “We are a full service dessert shop with seating for those who want a sweet visit or conversation. We make everything fresh in house from scratch and original recipes including caramels and hand dipped truffles. I have even created an Alaskan candy bar and we feature baby cakes,” said Bobbi who took 1st place at the MS Chocolate Affair competition in Anchorage in 2007. She says the new shop and Iditarod Café will offer a balance of confections and deserts, “We’ll be open Tuesday through Saturday from 11:00am to 6:00pm and we will also be open whenever there are catered events in our banquet room and in the future we’d like to have the Iditarod coordinate with the Kambe Theatre for a dinner and a movie. The café will feature comfort food and become known for the best burger on the Peninsula. Our staff is over the top amazing and we now have in one location the trifecta of food, Kenai Catering, Gotta’ Have Desserts and the Iditarod Café,” said England. The grand opening was well attended by a host of community members and local officials. To learn more stop by 260 Willow St. in Kenai or go to info@kenaicatering.com or call 395-4444.
