Kitty Keller, founder of KL Keller Foodways, will be retiring and transitioning the company to Manicaretti Italian Food Importers.
Manicaretti founder Rolando Beramendi has long championed the KL Keller products and embraces their addition to the Manicaretti portfolio. “Only renegade California could give us a tastemaker such as Kitty Keller,” he said in a statement. “A fearless trailblazer, Kitty brought us the gift of flavors of France and Spain, including the best Fleur de Sel in the world—the only product I carry in my suitcase wherever I go! It is impossible to imagine the flavor and sensory explosion that is California without Kitty’s unfiltered contribution.”
In a blog post announcing her retirement, Keller said, “With my friends, Rolando Beramendi, founder of Manicaretti, and Francisco Lizarraga, COO of Manicaretti, we have decided that during these tumultuous times, KL Keller producers and their products will be better served under the aegis of a strong national company such as Manicaretti. I think this logical evolution will be great for all involved.”
In the post, Keller commended the company’s sales representatives, Lauren Zaira and Kristin Coker, for their work over the past several years, selling both the Keller and Manicaretti products.
“Now the full Manicaretti sales team will be selling our products nationwide, integrated with the sales of the Italian products,” she said. “Active KL Keller customers will be contacted individually within the next two weeks.”
In a statement, Sara Wilson, managing partner of both KL Keller and Manicaretti, said this transition is an “obvious progression” for the company. In addition, Wilson commented on the impact the company has had on the industry. “Without Kitty’s and Rolando’s dedication to these heritage farmers and artisan producers, many would not have been introduced to the U.S., and some may not have survived, let alone thrived,” she said.
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Image: KL Keller Foodways