Maple Grove Man Out of Work Because of COVID-19, Starts Catering Business
When a Maple Grove man named Steve Odenthal found himself out of work after the pandemic, he started catering meals for families out of his kitchen. He calls his business Steve’s Comfort Kitchen.
Maple Grove Man Launches Steve’s Comfort Kitchen
Steve Odenthal turned his Maple Grove kitchen into his workplace.
“Now that I’m not able to visit with my clients face-to-face, I find a lot of time on my hands. So, I thought I could get this out in the marketplace now and help a lot of people get enough to eat at this time,” Odenthal said.
Just like the name implies, he’s serving up comfort food. One sample dish is four-cheese lasagna, buttered bread and a vegetable with dessert. Another choice is chicken enchiladas, which includes refried beans, chips and dessert. Some of the desserts are apple crisps or blackberry cheesecake bars with vanilla pecan crust.
The four-cheese lasagna from Steve’s Comfort Kitchen.
“It’s like Papa Murphy’s-style where I’ll make it, and they’ll bake it at their home,” explained Odenthal. “I’m trying to do full complete meals.”
People often can stretch the meals into two meals for a family of four.
Because of the high demand for last week’s opening, they are only offering deliveries on Wednesdays and Fridays. The meals are about $55, and it includes delivery.
His specialty is baking. Odenthal is very proud of his banana cake with cream cheese frosting and toasted pecans. He calls it “mouthwatering.”
“They’re the bomb,” he said emphatically.
Self -Taught Cook
Dishes lined up ready to be delivered. Customers must finish baking or cooking the meals at home.
Odenthal has always had a love for cooking. He often makes meals for his Bible study group at Edge Christian Worship Center in Brooklyn Park.
But he didn’t always have time to cook.
“I found myself raising three small daughters by myself about 20 years ago. I had to make the choice to feed them mac and cheese out of a box or learn to cook,” remembers Odenthal. “So, I got busy, got into the kitchen. It’s all self-taught.”
The Maple Grove resident plans on going back to his full-time job until his cooking business becomes self-sustaining.
You can call 612) 695-7057 to connect with Odenthal for a delivery.
