ARTICLE
PIERRE, SD – Skogen Kitchen in Custer has been selected as the South Dakota Retailers Association’s Restaurant of the Year. Presented annually, the award recognizes a restaurant with a reputation of excellence in food, service, and atmosphere. Skogen Kitchen is a chef-driven fine dining restaurant concept that offers a unique dining experience with each visit. Owners Chef Joseph and Eliza Raney met while working in the restaurant industry in southern California. After moving to Custer and working for other restaurants, they decided to open their own restaurant in the summer of 2017. The name Skogen is a nod to Joseph’s Norwegian heritage. In Norwegian, the word Skogen means “forest” – a fitting name given the location. Their ever-changing menu incorporates a variety of American cultural cuisines featuring fresh foods from across the country, including many locally sourced foods. “He takes a lot of fun ingredients and puts it together to make this masterpiece,” Eliza says of her husband. “He is so good about his flavors and layers of flavors. It’s really a party in your mouth!” Nathan Sanderson, Executive Director of the South Dakota Retailers Association, says the Raneys have more than met their goal of being unique but not pretentious. “Skogen Kitchen’s menu and the excellent service combine to deliver a dining experience that draws rave reviews,” Sanderson said. “Local customers, visitors from across the country, and restaurant review publications sing their praises.” Joseph notes that the restaurant and the menu are small by design, to allow them to take really good care of each person and serve the customer best. “If you have an idea and you have an ability, you can try that anywhere,” Joseph said. “But we want to make sure that we’re advocating to our employees that you can follow your dreams whatever they are, just appreciate where you are. You’re in South Dakota.” To learn more about the Raneys and the Retailers Association’s additional award recipients, visit sdra.org/awards. ### The South Dakota Retailers Association is one of the nation’s oldest and largest state retail organizations, operating as the South Dakota Restaurant, Grocers, and Hospitality associations. We believe in South Dakota businesses, offering information, advocacy, and services to over 4,000 members. Learn more online at sdra.org. Available for download at sdra.org/mediaresources: Award Photos, Audio Quotes
PIERRE, SD – Skogen Kitchen in Custer has been selected as the South Dakota Retailers Association’s Restaurant of the Year. Presented annually, the award recognizes a restaurant with a reputation of excellence in food, service, and atmosphere.
Skogen Kitchen is a chef-driven fine dining restaurant concept that offers a unique dining experience with each visit.
Owners Chef Joseph and Eliza Raney met while working in the restaurant industry in southern California. After moving to Custer and working for other restaurants, they decided to open their own restaurant in the summer of 2017. The name Skogen is a nod to Joseph’s Norwegian heritage. In Norwegian, the word Skogen means “forest” – a fitting name given the location.
Their ever-changing menu incorporates a variety of American cultural cuisines featuring fresh foods from across the country, including many locally sourced foods.
“He takes a lot of fun ingredients and puts it together to make this masterpiece,” Eliza says of her husband. “He is so good about his flavors and layers of flavors. It’s really a party in your mouth!”
Nathan Sanderson, Executive Director of the South Dakota Retailers Association, says the Raneys have more than met their goal of being unique but not pretentious.
“Skogen Kitchen’s menu and the excellent service combine to deliver a dining experience that draws rave reviews,” Sanderson said. “Local customers, visitors from across the country, and restaurant review publications sing their praises.”
Joseph notes that the restaurant and the menu are small by design, to allow them to take really good care of each person and serve the customer best.
“If you have an idea and you have an ability, you can try that anywhere,” Joseph said. “But we want to make sure that we’re advocating to our employees that you can follow your dreams whatever they are, just appreciate where you are. You’re in South Dakota.”
To learn more about the Raneys and the Retailers Association’s additional award recipients, visit sdra.org/awards.
###
The South Dakota Retailers Association is one of the nation’s oldest and largest state retail organizations, operating as the South Dakota Restaurant, Grocers, and Hospitality associations. We believe in South Dakota businesses, offering information, advocacy, and services to over 4,000 members. Learn more online at sdra.org.
Available for download at sdra.org/mediaresources: Award Photos, Audio Quotes