Ever since they met in a college cafeteria in March 2000, Allison Hahn, now 31, and Chuck Sobieck, 32, realized that catering was enough to bond them together. They studied culinary arts together and launched their love affair and profession.
“I think we are pretty much bound by the same catering interest,” says Chuck. “We met in a cafeteria while in college at Sullivan University in Louisville.”
The Sobiecks’ common interest propelled them from being just a couple to being two chefs running a successful catering service. The Somerset couple share skills, the same number of years of learning to be chefs and the same number of years of experience.
Both born in Kentucky, Allison, an only child, and Chuck, the third of five children, are now proud and successful owners of the Doolin House Inn Bed & Breakfast. They established their catering business eight years ago, two years into their marriage. They host overnight guests in their five-guestroom inn (and home) and cater both small and large dinners and gatherings. They work every day of the year.
Their average weekly customers number around 500. “Sometimes I count up to 700 meals served in a week,” Allison says, clarifying that smaller events are held in the inn while catering for larger gr0ups takes place outside the inn.
Remembering a busy week, she said, “This week we fed a lot of persons. We served 520 meals, excluding breakfasts.” Within 72 hours, the Doolin House Inn had provided high-quality catering services to the Lake Cumberland Regional Hospital staff, the Norfolk Southern railway and the March of Dimes charity dinner. The Sobiecks also provided free catering for the Somerset Community College’s international festival.
Blessed with two children, Julien, 7, and Rae Elizabeth, 3, and a third on the way, the Sobiecks squeeze child care into their tight schedule. Chuck manages time to play soccer with his kids, sometimes in their backyard. On Friday afternoons, Chuck provides football training to children of Somerset Christian School, which Julien attends.
“I think the kids already have different personalities from other kids because they get to meet strangers (guests) every day. It’s good, and it’s bad, because we don’t have that much time for them,” says Allison.
The couple’s full-time employees are Edward Nazania, who is from Puerto Rico, and Linda Howard. Micaela O’Hair, Colby Opton and Cheyenne Couch are part-time employees.
The Sobiecks have aspirations for expanded business. “Well, we’ve just got to keep going on,” Allison says.
