Our Stories
Where did it start? Around good food, of course! Dianne, Dave and Beth came together because of their shared passion for cooking and entertaining. All of us are long time Alaskans with stories to tell. From homesteading at Sheep Mountain, to interior fire stations to the original Cauldron Restaurant ~ we have established a strong commitment to build a team of hard working, dedicated individuals with a common goal to offer Anchorage our fresh, homemade, “feel good food”.
DIANNE& DAVE
David and Dianne Tydings met in 1978 at the original Cauldron, Dianne’s first restaurant adventure. Dianne grew up in Minnesota and has been “playing with food” her entire life! She homesteaded at the base of Sheep Mountain in 1972, where she nurtured her talent for creating many of the wonderful foods they serve today, as well as her signature bread. Her garden, greenhouse and gifts from nature were her inspiration. Dave came from a large family in Rochester, New York, where he often found himself working as a short order cook with friends and family in their restaurants when he wasn’t playing sports.
Our love of people and passion for sharing good food is the foundation for our business, which we opened in its current location in 1989. Our desire was to create a Downtown Anchorage lunch place for our friends and the community to gather. Catering is our way of reaching out to you with our beautiful, home made food when you are entertaining your clients, families and friends. It is our pleasure to be sharing this food adventure with our talented staff.
Call us ~ we’re ready to serve you!
BETH KITSON
” I was born and raised in Alaska and have been cooking professionally for over 30 years. Twenty of those were at BLM camps & fire stations. During the summer fire season I lived in the Interior, cooking for the fire fighters, then traveled during the winters, seeing the world and enjoying its many flavors. In 2000, I decided it was time to stay put and was fortunate to find a home at Dianne’s. We have a shared philosophy of food ~ the importance of bringing people together around the table. From the first lopsided cake and overcooked pasta I made as a kid, I knew this was what I wanted to do.”
THE COMFORT OF OUR BREAD
Our 100% whole wheat and honey buns has been our signature bread for over 36 years. This recipe had it’s origin when Dianne first baked it in her wood burning oven on her homestead at Sheep Mountain.
In times when things are changing so quickly all around us, our bread has stayed the same. The ingredients are simple ~ you can taste the goodness. How do we build a sandwich you will always remember? First, our Baker arrives at 1:30 a.m. while we are still sleeping. He works through the wee hours of the morning so you can enjoy our fresh bread every day.
That is why when we ask people “What’s the first thing you think of when you think of Dianne’s?” They always say “It’s the bread!”
HISTORY - DIANNE'S RESTAURANT
After 25 years Dianne’s Restaurant closed the doors for good… Since 1989 Dianne’s restaurant has been an Anchorage institution. For anyone who has ever walked into the Atwood building in downtown Anchorage the first thing you notice is the wonderful smell coming from Dianne’s kitchen. Famous for our soup and bread, we have been feeding Alaskans for a long time… Now it is time for a new chapter! Dianne’s WILD FORK CATERING!
Our commitment to the Anchorage community will continue and we hope to hear from you with your catering needs.
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- Dianne & Dave
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- Dianne’s Bread
