Fairbanks

Former royal cook buys Alaska trading post, opens kitchen

FAIRBANKS -- Sandwiches and steak are now offered at a trading post along Steese Highway under new owner and former royal cook Joan Eberl.

The Copenhagen native bought the shop from Larry Waters in November and moved from Europe after a six-week visit to the state, the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner reported.

While on her visit she met then-owner Paul Potvin, who invited her out with his friends to barbecue.

"I was totally in love with place and the people out here," Eberl said.

Eberl spent four years cooking mostly French food for Denmark's royal family followed by a dozen years making meals for American airmen at an Air Force base in Greenland.

Upon taking ownership of the general store 45 road miles from Fairbanks, she opened a kitchen to accompany goods in the general store such as canned items, beer and basic car and camping supplies.

Schnitzel, a German dish, stands out on a menu that includes items such as omelets, sandwiches, and steak.

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Eberl says the first winter was tough. Her husband moved with her, but returned to Europe after an isolated winter far from family.

Even so, Eberl said she has no plans to leave and runs the business by herself with occasional help from friends in the area.

"My passion is to drive four wheelers ... up in the mountains, drive four wheelers, have a good time, bring out some sausages, barbecue a little up there," she said. "It's a new lifestyle for me, you know. I feel free."

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