Doug and Julie Foster met in the summer of 1989. Doug was the Banquet and Catering Manager for Iowa State Memorial Union at Iowa State University. Julie had just graduated from high school and moved to Ames, Iowa to find a job before classes began in the fall. Julie worked for Doug for 4 years while she was going to college for Fashion Merchandising. They had developed a good friendship during those 4 years, so naturally they kept in contact. After Julie's Internship and graduation, they began dating. Several years later they were married in the same building where they had met. Two years later Alex was born.

Doug had been in the Food Industry since 1980. After attending Westmar College for a Foodservice Management degree, he moved to Ames, Iowa to pursue bigger opportunities. He accepted  the Banquet & Catering Manager position at Iowa State Memorial Union in 1986. After 8 years with Iowa State it was time to experience something different. He moved on to Perkins Restaurants. Perkins taught him alot about the workings of a full service restaurant. He worked in store management for several years while developing a new position with the company. The new position as Area Food Production Manager further developed his training skills and knowledge of the restaurant industry. This position also moved him, and his new family, around the country. In 2000 they moved to New Market, Maryland to work with a Perkins franchise. Doug's store was located just 20 miles from Washington DC. After September 11th, things became very different around the nation's capital. When an opportunity came up to relocate to Colorado Springs, CO. they sold thier home and moved.
They loved living in the mountains, but relocation had become a reality of the business. After 3 years in Colorado, Perkins relocated them to the Kansas City area. They chose Smithville as the perfect area for their new home. As anyone who has been here knows, it is a great place to raise a child.  It has a small town feel with all the conveniences of a city. The lake is definitely a bonus!  Doug continued to work for Perkins for another 2 1/2 years until an opportunity came along. It had been a long time dream of his to open his own restaurant. He and Julie had kicked around ideas and thoughts about a restaurant for years. In September of 2007, the opportunity became reality. Doug left Perkins Restaurants after 13 years of service. Eight very long weeks later, The Steak Knife Restaurant & Lounge opened it's doors.
We hope you'll enjoy it as much as we do!  Come see us soon, and look at the wildlife trophies that local residents have brought in for display.