oak avenue roots

Knickerbockers’ Catering started in 1975, coinciding with the wine boom in the Napa Valley. Through the years, we have grown to be one of the top catering outfits in the Valley, showcasing not only our expertise in the event world, but also our ability to continually create cuisine that is on par with the Napa Valley’s ever changing trends and standards. While we continue to grow and excel, we still maintain a family owned and operated business that nurtures and values our employees and clients alike.

Upon his retirement in 2009, Tony Knickerbocker sold the catering business to long time partners Chefs Shannon and Christina Kelly. With the new ownership also came our new name, Oak Avenue Catering. While our named has changed, our company still proudly represents our Knickerbockers’ Roots, and continues to deliver the same level of excellence we have for over thirty-six years.

Chef Shannon Kelly was trained in France by Maitre Du Cuisiniere, Josphe Thuet, during their stints as Sous Chefs for Domaine Chandon’s Restaurants in Yountville. Kelly’s continued involvement with wine auction events as well as other food and wine related productions has exposed him to such food luminaries such as Julia Childs, Dean Fairing of Mansion at Turtle Creek in Dallas, Chef- Jojo of Summit Restaurant in Chicago, and Italian Television Cooking Star, Osvaldo Baroncelli. Each experience resulted in a wealth of knowledge, lending to wonderfully creative and expertly executed meals.