Prior to 2010, the Kenai Peninsula Tourism Marketing Council (KPTMC) struggled to find the proper audience for their annual travel auction fundraiser. While employed with the organization, James and then Executive Director, Shanon Davis, came up with a plan to hold their first-ever public gala, the Taste of the Kenai.

With James managing the design, and KPTMC's resources at the ready, the rest of the programming needed to be determined. To involve the community, local vendors were invited to provide signature dishes; and the general public was invited to partake. It was an instant success and now a staple of the Kenai for 10+ years.