Double Decker Food Vendor Profile: Camp Lake Stephens

Yes, the headline is correct. Camp Lake Stephens, located off Highway 334 just outside of Oxford, is one of the 2014 Double Decker food vendors to be featured at tomorrow’s festival.

Karen Irby is the CLS food and beverage director and resident chef. Originally from Oxford, she attributes her love of cooking to her grandfathers, who were both chefs. Irby spent two years in Washington D.C. working for chef Spike Mendelson at two of his restaurants. She’s a expert pizza chef, member of the US Pizza Team and was a consultant for the country’s largest pizza oven company.
According to Irby,, everything she cooks at Camp is made from scratch and many of the ingredients are grown in the camp’s garden. Campers even help in the garden during the summer.
Camp Lake Stephens has been a favorite summer destination since 1946. There are still spots open for this summer’s sessions, especially the day camp program. There are sessions available for children of all ages. The picturesque camp is also available year-round for retreats, weddings, birthday parties, and more.
For more information about Camp Lake Stephens, please visit their website, Facebook page, and their booth at Double Decker tomorrow on the Oxford Square.

– Kate Wallace is managing editor of HottyToddy.com and former Camp Lake Stephens camper. She can be reached by emailing kate.sinervo@hottytoddy.com.