Meet the Team
Keeley Ardman DeSalvo
I was born and raised in Hot Springs, and have been fortunate to have lived in wonderful cities with diverse and rich food cultures. Following graduation from Southern Methodist University with a degree in finance, I worked in Dallas as a stockbroker before moving to Washington, D.C, where I served as an advisor to two presidential campaigns and, later, as a policy advisor to the Department of Energy during the Clinton administration. After returning home to Arkansas, the idea of a specialty food store began to take shape. I couldn't find the special items I wanted to use in my own kitchen and give as gifts that at one time had been readily available to me. At that time, choices in Arkansas were limited. Thankfully, that has changed and, as the array of Arkansas products we offer at The Savory Pantry indicate, we now have an impressive variety of thoughtfully made, delicious foods coming from the best producers across the state.
I grew up surrounded by good food, having been exposed to the restaurant business at an early age through The Pancake Shop, my family's restaurant in downtown Hot Springs since 1966. My mother was the driving force behind the business, establishing a nationwide customer base by providing excellent food and extraordinary service. I've always been proud-and grateful-that we continue to have lines out the door on any given weekend. It made sense to me to draw upon the legacy my mother established at The Pancake Shop and extend it further, and in 1998 I opened The Savory Pantry, right next door to the restaurant. I am thankful that, just as customers understood my mother's vision of what the world's best breakfast could be, our customers look to The Savory Pantry for the very best in specialty and gourmet foods, deign-forward housewares, and unique gift giving.
Growth:
The Savory Pantry has developed a loyal clientele coast to coast and, in 2012, I started to consider another location. I was immediately attracted to Saratoga. The similarities between it and Hot Springs are many: a historic racecourse with some of the finest thoroughbred racing in the country, a vibrant arts scene, natural spring waters, the mountains and lakes, and a sophisticated, small town feel. Add to that the proximity to New York City, Boston, and Montreal, and it seemed an ideal choice. In 2014 we opened The Savory Pantry Saratoga on historic Broadway Avenue. I truly have the best of both worlds, splitting my time between Arkansas and New York.
Stocking The Savory Pantry:
We tenaciously source the most extraordinary foods in the world for our customers, always with quality and value in mind, and are constantly reminded that reaching the pinnacle of quality and success in any endeavor isn't possible without an unbeatable team--a team that is deeply committed to and driven by its mission. The Savory Pantry Team begins with our producers and ends with our customers. We choose producers who dedicate their lives to being the best at their crafts and who distill years of care and knowledge into their products. We want you to know not only where your food comes from, but who makes it and what motivates them to do so. Beyond stocking our pantries and yours through our storefronts in Hot Springs and Saratoga, and lovingly sending products and gift baskets across the nation to those who matter most to you, we brainstorm, consider, and create at all hours of the day and night, remaining curious about the latest movements in food and doing whatever it takes to ensure an unparalleled customer experience. We love what we do, and hope that you'll taste the care, enthusiasm, and expertise of our entire Team in every bite.
Favorite Pantry Products:
Gilles Hervy Fleur de Sel, a finishing salt which is hand-harvested by Gilles Hervy and his family in France; it can seriously transform a dish! Grove 45 EVOO, a spectacular oil from California made by two inspirational women I'm proud to call friends. I love using our Lemon Agrumato for roasting poultry and fish. And finally our Spicy Plum Chutney from The Virginia Chutney Company is my entertaining go-to. Serve with a wedge of Manchego and a good bottle of wine --you're set!
Stacy De Garay
I was born in Queens, New York, and lived there until my family moved upstate when I was in middle school. I have called Saratoga Springs home for the last 25 years and that's where I've been a member of the sales staff since August 2015.
Relationship with Food:
I come from a traditional Italian family, so of course food has always played an important role in my life. We celebrate with food; we grieve with food. "What are we going to eat?" is always the most important question to be answered. I love to cook and nothing feels better than preparing a meal I know my family and friends will enjoy. I'm always looking for new and creative recipes to try out, so being able to work in an environment that exposes me to so many artisan made products is very exciting.
Stocking The Savory Pantry:
I love it here at The Savory Pantry. How blessed am I that work never feels like a "job"! I had been a stay at home mom for many years, but now that my children are older I knew it was time to return to what I love to do, first as a Sales Associate and currently as the Sales Manager in the Saratoga Springs location. There is nothing like meeting people from all over the country (and the world) who come in the store, and hearing their stories. I have always thought that everyone has a story to tell if only you are willing to listen. The team at the Saratoga store is a small, close family made up of people I am so happy to call my friends. I think we all have strengths in different areas and complement each other well. I enjoy working with each one of these women and feel as though together we offer the customer an experience that is unlike one you would get anywhere else. We know the products, we know the stories, and we genuinely care that our customers leave happy, with everything that they came for... and maybe with some new ideas. Whether they are locals or people who are only visiting the area for a day or two, I want every customer to feel as though they have found their go-to resource for entertaining ideas, gifts, or maybe just a little treat for themselves. I love that so many of our customers stop by on a regular basis just to see what's new!
Favorite Pantry Products:
I love the stories behind what we carry and that each maker provides ideas for how to use those products, often in ways you never would have considered. My go to oil for cooking and finishing has to be Grove 45 - a fabulous estate oil from the Napa Valley, it never disappoints. As someone who entertains fairly often I am never without a selection of bitters from Crude. Their "Rizzo" Small Batch Bitters with Rosemary, Grapefruit and Peppercorn take your gin and tonic to the next level. Of course, my list wouldn't be complete without A L'Olivier Porcini & Truffle Olive Oil--a great partner to the bread basket on any table!
Amy Ashford
I'm from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and have worked for The Savory Pantry for eight years as graphic designer. I help maintain the website and anything printed that you may recieve from us!
Relationship with Food:
I consider myself a foodie and love cooking as much as eating out. I was quite a picky eater growing up and even through college. I did like native Louisiana cuisine but that was as adventurous as it got. I moved to New York from Louisiana right after college and quickly expanded my taste for all types of food. From low brow to high brow, New York was a new world of foods. I worked in a diner for the first two months I and learned what a "bialy" was as well as a "scooped bagel." Then, I worked as a hostess at the (now closed) French restaurant Capsouto Freres where I had my first dessert souffle (which the restaurant was quite famous for). While I adore a night of fine dining as much as the next gal, my weaknesses are NY Style (thin crust) pizza and champagne. I have almost no self control around either.
Stocking the Savory Pantry:
I appreciate the exposure to new food trends and we work hard to keep our customers aware of the latest and greatest in food. I enjoy watching The Savory Pantry play a role in supporting other small businesses by carrying products made in small batches and always knowing the origins of the products!
Favorite Pantry Products:
Grove 45 Olive Oil and Ritrovo Six-Year Balsamico. I was once visiting Keeley in Arkansas, and she made me a salad with Ortiz Tuna. I was sold. Who knew jarred tuna could be so good!
Pam Abrams
I was born in upstate New York, spent my childhood on Long Island, raised my own kids in Brooklyn, moved to Manhattan once they left for college, and finally ended up back in upstate New York! When I left my day job and my husband retired in 2019, we decided to make Saratoga Springs our permanent home. I had a long career in publishing and media, including stints as a magazine editor at Harper's, Parents, Child (as Editor-in-Chief), Scholastic, and Sesame Street. I've written widely about parents, kids, and food.
More recently I was able to channel my passion for food and cooking by joining forces with Chef Harold Villarosa (alum of Noma and Per Se) and restaurateur Jacob Hadjigeorgis (Jacob's Pickles), to develop and implement programs for NYC youth about food, the hospitality industry, and entrepreneurship. For three years I developed and implemented school curricula, restaurant internships, and student-run farm-to-table events in NYC.
Relationship with Food:
Working alongside Harold and Jacob gave me a de facto degree in hospitality and culinary arts, and doing it in the Big Apple allowed me to work, research, eat, and shop at some of the best food emporiums, restaurants, farmer's markets, and other food-centric spots in the world. (I was a regular at Kitchen Arts and Letters, the bookshop on the Upper East Side devoted to food and drink.) So, when I moved to Saratoga, I was thrilled to discover The Savory Pantry and its owner Keeley DeSalvo, a savvy, sophisticated, food-forward soul mate. I became a frequent shopper, an informal adviser, and now a part of the team writing for the shop (dream job).
An intensive food writing course led by best-selling cookbook author Diana Henry helped me combine my passions for cooking and writing, for tasting and testing, for sharing ideas about food and friends and family. There's a community spirit about the Savory Pantry that's made me feel right at home.
Favorite Pantry Products:
New items are always coming into the shop so my "favorites" frequently change. Currently, I love the Boiled Cider from Woods Cider Mill, aka liquid gold around my house. The Italian Truffle & Salt from Casina Rossa, is my new go-to for pretty much...everything I'd ordinarily turn to salt for. Especially anything involving a potato. Most of my favorite cookbook authors use Ortiz Anchovies in their recipes so I do, too, grateful that the Pantry always has those in-store. As an FTE (frequent track entertainer) the fantastic assortment of horse-racing products at the Pantry is my go-to place to find horse-themed napkins and towels, toothpicks and cocktail glasses, and host/hostess gifts during the racing season.
Megan King
I was born and raised in Savannah, Georgia. My parents are Yankees--both from Cleveland, Ohio. I love to travel, but hope to always call Savannah home.
Stocking the Savory Pantry:
I've been working in the specialty food industry for years, and have worked with Keeley for a couple years now, first through another company and now my own -- IFP Marketing. It's a real joy to work with a business owner who is so passionate about her brand and what she wants to accomplish. As a foodie, this work perfectly marries two things I love: food and online marketing. In a market fairly saturated with food interest, The Savory Pantry has a unique angle in sharing stories behind products and connecting customers with foods they love and might not find out about on their own.
Relationship with Food:
I can't really cook, so I made sure to marry someone who can! We probably spend entirely too much money eating out (less so now that we have two little ones) but really enjoy good, interesting food with good red wine. I'm very close with my parents (thankfully my husband loves them too) so we spend a lot of time together...usually eating and drinking wine. Saturday and Sunday afternoons are often cheese plate and wine time. My kids are addicted to Humboldt Fog and manchego versus cheaper cheeses. I also have a ridiculous sweet tooth. I don't think I'm capable of eating dinner without having dessert, and love making cookies with my son.
Why do you think customers depend on The Savory Pantry?
It provides a place to locate new and interesting products--to learn about them and ways to use them. I think it's a great source for people who love to cook, not only the everyday cook or someone just trying to feed their family, but also the person who is truly passionate about cooking who wants to learn new dishes and flavors. I'm excited that we are becoming more of a gifting destination, because it's something we're good at. Especially when you are looking to give something unique rather than running to the mall or getting a gift card, we have fantastic and beautiful products for just about anyone and any occasion.
Favorite Savory Pantry Products:
The various olive oils. A good olive oil is incredibly versatile; yummy by itself with a loaf of bread and a sprinkling of parmesan.
