Community Corner

Whisknladle Sells Out 5 Year Anniversary Party

On Friday, Feb. 8, nationally acclaimed restaurant Whisknladle will celebrate its five-year anniversary with a commemorative anniversary dinner. The special, ticketed event will feature a cocktail reception from 6 to 7 p.m. followed by a signature, family-style meal with wine selections. Tickets to attend the dinner are already sold out. 


“We’re thrilled to be celebrating five-years of Whisknladle. It was the restaurantthat started it all and it will always hold a special place in our hearts as our first, but we certainly didn’t do it alone,” said Arturo Kassel, CEO and co-owner.


Whisknladle’s managing partners are looking forward to welcoming and thanking those members of the local community that have helped contribute to Whisknladle’s success over the last five years at the dinner, including frequent diners (affectionately known as “the regulars”), friends, family and, of course, partners from the local farming and fishing community.

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“We do feel nostalgic. It’s a small milestone in relation to what we hope to achieve in the future, but we’re very proud,” said Kassel. The evening will be filled with nods to the past, from the cocktail and menu selections to having Kassel and Chef Ryan Johnston back in the restaurant at their old posts. Kassel will host the evening, looking after main dining room, while Johnston manages the culinary cavalry in the kitchen.


One of those changes will be permanent, however. After overseeing the success of both Whisknladle and Prepkitchen’s culinary programs, Johnston will officially return to the front line at Whisknladle as acting Head Chef. Johnston will continue to have full control over the menu development at all Prepkitchen locations, but corporate chef, Sam Burman, will manage the day-to-day operations.

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“We’ve opened four restaurants in four years and, while I never truly left Whisknladle, there was a time that my attention needed to be shared amongstthem all,” Johnston commented. “Things are different now. We have great teams in place and I’m looking forward to being back in Whisknladle to help raise it to a new standard.”


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