What once began as our family-owned gourmet meat market, has transformed into Culinary Infusion — the catering and events company we are known as today. With three successful wedding and events venues (Circa on Seventh, The Covenant at Murray Mansion, and our newest space Upper East) we are excited to offer our couples and clients unique space options in Kenosha and Racine, WI, allowing you to select the venue that perfectly fits your style and event vision.
As a team, we will be by your side through every step of the planning! On the day of your event we’ll be there playing the role of your Day-Of Coordinator —- making sure every detail is perfect and stress-free, so you can enjoy your event alongside your guests. Need your dress bustled? We are here! A surprise guest shows up? We’ve got it covered! Once you choose a Culinary Infusion venue, you’re part of the family! We are creatives, dreamers, and do-ers, and we cannot wait to work with you!
HANNI GOULD
Chief Operations Officer
Hi, my name is Hanni and I am the Chief Operations Officer for our parent company, Culinary Infusion. After living in Seattle and Tampa, I relocated back to Wisconsin when my family was transitioning from a catering company into venue owners. I have been a part of the planning and design for every detail of our three venues —- Circa on Seventh, The Covenant at Murray Mansion, and Upper East.
I’m an entrepreneur at heart —– both of my parents and grandparents were self-employed, so that’s all that I knew growing up. I’ve been working in the wedding industry on and off for over 20 years (my first job was working waitstaff at a golf course venue), and absolutely love everything about it. This industry is ever changing, so our creative muscles are always being flexed, and the relationships that are made last well beyond wedding day.
When I’m not working, my four kiddos (Adelaide, Carson, and our identical twins Molly and Gwen) keep me and my husband very busy! If there’s any free time left in there, you can definitely find me listening to a podcast, playing in the garden, or hanging out on the pier at our family’s lakehouse.
On behalf of our entire team, welcome to the Culinary Infusion family!
kelsey bakkila
Venue Director
Hi there! I’m Kelsey, Venue Director at Circa on Seventh, and second in command at Upper East. I am the one behind the overall operations of the venues, working with our incredible team to execute every event seamlessly. My favorite part of a wedding is once the festivities have settled and dancing is underway, taking a moment to watch the celebration. Often catching the groom glancing down at his new ring with the slightest of grins on his face and excitement in his eyes, or the parents watching their newly married children from across the room, eyes welling with pride. There is no feeling quite like being a part of a wedding day!
When I’m not working, I’m at my 1950s fixer-upper home working on a renovation project or refinishing one of my many flea market finds. I’ve been known to have a few too many projects going on at one time — Sitting still is definitely not one of my strong suits!
kelsey tover | Event specialist
Hi there, I’m Kelsey, one of the Event Specialists here at Upper East. I’ve always had a passion for working with others, which made the transition from recruiting into event planning so seamless. I have the opportunity to work with amazing couples, understand their vision for their wedding day, and have a hand in making that vision become a reality. It really is as fun (and rewarding) as it sounds!
Outside of being an Event Specialist, I’m also a dog-mom to a three-year-old Poochon named Mickey. On any given Saturday morning, you can find us exploring the lakefront, enjoying a coffee at a local café, or taking advantage of the many photo-ops downtown Kenosha has to offer!
steve mack | Executive Chef
My name is Steve and I am an Executive Chef with Culinary Infusion, overseeing our Kenosha venues —- Upper East and Circa on Seventh. After years of working with the team on my weekends off from my job in IT, I decided to make this my full-time gig! I’m able to utilize my degree in accounting by crunching numbers and handling all accounting-related job duties for Culinary Infusion during the day, and by night you can find me prepping food and carving tenderloin as the chef. After the food has been served and the kitchen is clean, I love to take a minute and soak in the celebration. We are just one small part of one of the most important days of a couple’s lives, and that’s a feeling I enjoy embracing every weekend.
Hannah Sorensen | associate coordinator
My name is Hannah, and I am one of the Associate Coordinators for Culinary Infusion. I have been a part of the Culinary Infusion team since 2013, which believe it or not, was my freshman year of high school!! My favorite part about working events is being a part of some of the most memorable moments of people’s lives; from weddings to baby and bridal showers, I love being able to witness all of these joyous and amazing moments. (And I love seeing all of the different centerpieces at weddings!)
When I’m not studying for my nursing degree at the University of Wisconsin-Parkside, you’ll most likely find me feasting on Okiedoke popcorn or sipping on coffee.
262.584.4670 622 58th Street Kenosha, WI 53140