SINCE 1982
Ben, Tina and Frieda Koper 2001
Ben Koper 1947... Starting his apprenticeship in The Netherlands
Ben Koper was classically trained in the Netherlands in the fine art of pastry making. He studied under the masters in the large hotels of Europe. Tho a Dutchman by birth, his heart and mind always dreamed of far away places and adventures. A place where he could spread his wings and fly.
After marrying Sientje (Tina) Moerman in 1952 they began this adventure that would lead them to Anchorage Alaska via Canada just weeks before the Great Earthquake of 1964 would strike on Good Friday. Not quite sure this was the adventure there where ready for remaining in Anchorage was an uncertainty. That was until a gentleman named Wally Hickel announced he would be building a new hotel in downtown Anchorage. Ben decided if this gentleman was staying so was he. Mr. Hickel later went on to become governor of Alaska. Ben eventually went to work at the Captain Cook Hotel and become friends with Mr. Hickel's son Joe.
For the next 20 years Ben would work at different local hotels and grocery stores always dreaming of opening his own pastry shop some day. A shop where he could use real butter, real chocolates and real whipped cream. He was told by others that Americans would never pay the extra cost for these ingredients. But Ben never believed them. After several years of working on the North Slope Ben's dream of opening his own pastry shop became a reality. In 1982 at an age when most are contemplating retirement Ben and Tina put everything they had worked so hard for on the line and opened The Flying Dutchman Pastry Shop. That same year Ben achieved his other life long dream, he earned his private pilots license. Hence the name of the shop...
Anchorage Alaska had its first European Pastry Shop. For the past 33 years The Flying Dutchman has been set the standards of excellence that Ben learned so long ago from the masters.
As the years have passed on their daughter Frieda took on more of the daily operations of baking the pastries. Sadly in 2003 Ben Koper passed away. Tina and Frieda have continued on in his honor. Not a day goes by that Ben is not missed. Tho he is no longer a physical part of the shop he will always remain The Flying Dutchman....
After marrying Sientje (Tina) Moerman in 1952 they began this adventure that would lead them to Anchorage Alaska via Canada just weeks before the Great Earthquake of 1964 would strike on Good Friday. Not quite sure this was the adventure there where ready for remaining in Anchorage was an uncertainty. That was until a gentleman named Wally Hickel announced he would be building a new hotel in downtown Anchorage. Ben decided if this gentleman was staying so was he. Mr. Hickel later went on to become governor of Alaska. Ben eventually went to work at the Captain Cook Hotel and become friends with Mr. Hickel's son Joe.
For the next 20 years Ben would work at different local hotels and grocery stores always dreaming of opening his own pastry shop some day. A shop where he could use real butter, real chocolates and real whipped cream. He was told by others that Americans would never pay the extra cost for these ingredients. But Ben never believed them. After several years of working on the North Slope Ben's dream of opening his own pastry shop became a reality. In 1982 at an age when most are contemplating retirement Ben and Tina put everything they had worked so hard for on the line and opened The Flying Dutchman Pastry Shop. That same year Ben achieved his other life long dream, he earned his private pilots license. Hence the name of the shop...
Anchorage Alaska had its first European Pastry Shop. For the past 33 years The Flying Dutchman has been set the standards of excellence that Ben learned so long ago from the masters.
As the years have passed on their daughter Frieda took on more of the daily operations of baking the pastries. Sadly in 2003 Ben Koper passed away. Tina and Frieda have continued on in his honor. Not a day goes by that Ben is not missed. Tho he is no longer a physical part of the shop he will always remain The Flying Dutchman....
Mom passed away 13 December 2019.. She was our world and we miss her more then anyone can imagine... every single day... still
Photos from our amazing trip to Scotland in October of 2010... A family vacation we will never forget...a wonderful visit with our dear friend Pauline...She made our trip one of a lifetime....