Kelsey Tenore, General Manager

A Shirley, Massachusetts native, Kelsey Tenore began her culinary career at the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York. After receiving her Associates of Culinary Arts in 2013 and working in kitchens throughout Greater Boston, Kelsey was eager to continue her training and returned to the CIA for her Bachelor's Degree of Business Management.

As a student, Kelsey traveled abroad to Italy, diving into the country’s culture of warm hospitality, passion for winemaking, and of course, incredible food. She graduated in 2014 with renewed zeal for front of house management and a drive to continue her wine education. Kelsey became a certified sommelier just one year later.

After stints on teams at Boston institutions like L’Espalier and Clio, Kelsey settled as Sommelier and Assistant General Manager at Cambridge mainstay, Catalyst, under Chef/Owner William Kovel. There she worked her way up the ranks and was made Catalyst’s General Manager in December of 2017. At Catalyst, Kelsey’s vast wine knowledge and passion for curating an expansive and dynamic list earned her The Improper Bostonian’s coveted “Boston’s Best Sommelier” award in 2018 and led the restaurant to receive Wine Spectator's Award of Excellence three years in a row.  

A longtime North Shore resident, Kelsey took on the role as General Manager at Ledger Restaurant & Bar in Salem, Massachusetts in early 2019. At Ledger, she’s able to incorporate her formal kitchen training and wine expertise into her front of house approach with both the restaurant’s team and guests.

When she’s not adding personal touches to guest experiences at Ledger, Kelsey enjoys exploring the beaches and hiking trails of Southern Maine and spending time with her son, Brody and puppy, Milo.