FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Lion Chef Acquires Yakima’s Historic Cascade Garden
YAKIMA, WA – March 31, 2026 – The next chapter of one of Yakima’s most cherished event venues has begun. Lion Chef Africa, a local catering company, proudly announces its acquisition of Cascade Garden, a nearly five-acre venue that has hosted weddings and events for decades.
For longtime Yakima residents, Cascade Garden has been more than a venue — it’s where countless memories have been made. Built as a nursery by Jay Wolfe, later owned by Pam and Francis McSharry, and most recently Wes and Eileen Weresch, the property has been a Yakima Valley fixture for decades. “We have loved watching Cascade Garden be part of so many love stories and celebrations for the past 18 years,” said former owner Eileen Weresch-Doornink. “It is a truly unique and magical patch of earth. As we pass the reins, we trust Gilbert and Beth to carry this beloved place forward with the same heart and dedication it deserves.”
For Lion Chef, this acquisition fulfills a long-held vision. “The first time I visited the property in 2017 to pick up rentals, I fell in love with it,” Gilbert says. “ asked the Wereschs to call me if they ever wanted to sell. Eight years later, that dream has come true. We’re excited to build on the legacy of previous owners and take Cascade Garden to the next level by expanding its culinary options and community impact.”
Chef Gilbert Kalombo and his wife Beth launched Lion Chef Africa in 2023 after cooking professionally since 2017. The business offers bespoke catering, private dining, pop-ups, and immersive cooking classes, blending the flavors of Africa with Yakima Valley farm-fresh abundance. Lion Chef creates elevated yet welcoming experiences designed to honor life’s most meaningful moments.
Nestled in Yakima Valley wine country, the venue offers easy access to wineries, craft breweries, and Central Washington’s outdoor adventures. Its proximity to Yakima airport (YKM), hotels, and restaurants makes travel easy for out-of-town guests. The property features several distinctive spaces, including a stone lodge with old-growth beams and granite hearth fireplace, a brick-paved ceremony site with a greenery-covered archway, a whimsical cantina bar, and a pergola-covered lawn. Unique areas such as a hidden sunken garden and wisteria-covered shade house offer one-of-a-kind experiences for guests and photographers.
With the addition of Cascade Garden, Lion Chef will continue off-site catering while expanding the venue into a full-service destination. Cascade Garden will maintain its open-vendor policy and full rental offerings (tables, chairs, serviceware) to the public. The Kalombos envision Cascade Garden as a hub for community gatherings, nonprofit fundraisers, mid-week corporate events, private dinners, and seasonal culinary experiences.
Private tours of Cascade Garden are now available by appointment, with bookings underway for the 2026–2027 wedding season. To schedule a tour, click below. (Photo courtesy of Cloey & Inga Wedding Photography)
