Inn Keepers

John and Annie Gerken met in the Old Market in Omaha, Nebraska where he was managing the ever popular M’s Pub and she was sous chef at the well-respected V Mertz Restaurant. After they were married, they moved to Maine to live out Annie’s dream of owning a two hundred year old farmhouse in New England.

While in Maine, John remained in the “front end” of the restaurant business for some time, until family and friends encouraged him to go public with his cooking. In the 1990s, the couple bought and refurbished a 1950s drive-in restaurant complete with carhops, and served up mouth-watering barbecue. After selling the business several years later, John was asked to manage the kitchens in one of the country’s largest lobster houses, serving up to 800 covers to hungry vacationers in the high season. He also served as Executive Chef for the exclusive Medomak Retreat Center, catering to the most distinguished of tastes.

Thank you for an absolute wonderful experience. The dinner was romantic and absolutely delicious. You have ... read more

But after more than twenty years in New England, the Gerkens admitted they missed the Midwest. Annie said, “I came home one day and John said, ‘I want to move to Iowa.’” (This is not as far-fetched as it sounds. Both John and Anne have Iowa connections. John’s father is from Carroll and his mother is from Manning. Both of Anne’s parents are from Des Moines.) “ I Googled ‘Bed & Breakfasts for sale in Iowa’ and found LaCorsette,” said Annie. That was in February of 2007. By August the Gerkens were trekking half way across the country to their new home and business. “We have found our calling,” they proclaimed.