Not only is it a gathering place for inhabitants and guests, but it stands as domain and bandstand for the most celebrated members of human society: the chef. The chef is not only a provider. The chef is a mad scientist testing formulas and combinations; the chef is a story teller holding intimate knowledge passed down through time; the chef is an artist most often evoking the emotions and thoughts of anyone who will stop for a taste. Even Shakespeare warns us about the power of the chef in Romeo & Juliet, “Tis an ill cook who cannot lick his own fingers.” 

In which case, I direct your attention to a store essential to the cook’s corner called Compliments to the Chef. You might be familiar with a local, beloved celebrity who does nothing more than stand on the sidewalks of Broadway welcoming, ushering strolling passersby towards the store front windows and into the fascinating, eclectic contrivances of Compliments to the Chef. 

His name is Mario and don’t be afraid to step up and put your arms around him to take a picture. Chances are you’ve seen this local lighthouse passing northern Broadway, a statuesque chef with a friendly smile and white, loaf chef’s hat. And as friendly as his veneer smile, his reputation and friendliness is quite comparable with that of the store and staff of Compliments to the Chef. 

Their store isn’t just a resource for amateur and professional chefs alike, it is a feast for the eyes. Compliments to the Chef of Saratoga Springs is owned by John Reardon, owner and operator of Compliments for the past five years. Both John and his wife, Paula, were at the shop when I stopped by and were kind enough to share their thoughts and experiences in the kitchen, in Saratoga, and in local business.

Compliments was purchased by John after its first year of operation from former owners Dave and Andrea LaFrance. John reminisced about seeing the store for the first time and knowing that it was love at first sight. Standing in the store today, it is very apparent how much love goes into the operation and aesthetics of Compliments. There are no bare walls, and everywhere you look are shelves and displays of multicolored aluminum and steel and ceramic of all shapes and designs ranging from dining sets to beautiful cooking sets to fabric lined wine cases made especially for picnics. 

“We have over 6,000 different products thoughout the store,” boasts John. “And if what you’re looking for isn’t here, you’ll see it next time.” John remarks that his goal is to keep stocking items that cater to the public interest. He prides Compliments on staying on top with in-demand products and kitchen tools. You can tell that John and the staff of Compliments truly love the cooking industry, and that they have fun with what they are doing. One of John’s joys is talking with local culinary students, town chefs, local restaurant owners, and amateur cooks of all different slices. He says that’s where he learns the tricks of the trade. Whether catching John in casual conversation or talking kitchen shop, his sociability and down right enthusiasm speak for his love of culinary arts, as the kitchen is undoubtedly the social gathering place of America.  “It’s always neat to see the cooks of the family meandering through the store,” said John.

Compliments carries hundreds of product catalogues which fuel the cornucopia of products available. John and his staff also attend shows across the country to stay informed on new products and designs. A couple times a year, Compliments also hosts demonstrations by local chefs, such as Arthur Mark, as well as knife skills and knife handling shows provided by product representatives. Compliments is a big supporter of Saratoga’s local chefs and restaurants.

The most requested store items right now are types of cookware and cutlery. One of Compliment’s hot new summer items is the Onion Saver. Another hot summer item is the Poach Pod, which is a silicone dish that floats in a pot of boiling water that cooks eggs to poached perfection. Hot season items include the popular Santoku knives, which are multipurpose knives with sharp, hollow-ground edges that are great for slicing, mincing, and chopping.

Besides the plethora of kitchen wares readily available in the store, Compliments also provides a number of services ranging from blade sharpening, special orders, shipping services, delivery in town (within a 5 mile radius, no charge to the elderly), product sampling, guest chefs and demonstrations as mentioned above.

Compliments is a store for all people. It hosts a wide variety of clientele varying from customers with fixed incomes to patrons with unlimited budgets and everyone in between. “We provide high quality products,” assured John. “We provide the best selection of products for people who want the best quality products. We cater to all manners of people.” While explaining how the business has changed over the years, John emphasized how Compliments started out with the intention of providing top quality, expensive in-store items. And with time and a better handle on understanding customer attitude and interest, they have changed their focus to providing top quality items that you would find in “grandma’s tool box,” while supplying quirky and unique items that would modernize the “grandma’s tool box.”

“We work to find special items for folks,” said John. “It’s our personal mission.” Compliments has made strong efforts to focus on connecting with the customers, which in part appears to be an attitude reflected in John’s observations and thoughts regarding Saratoga. His inspiration to transform Compliments into a business supplying products based on customer interest and popular demand stems from seeing passionate people furiously trying to better this city. John remarks that the town is seeing cleaner times, and the attitude of local citizens reflects the desire to improve this city’s image. 

With these few local observations, John predicts a boom for the local Saratoga markets this summer. The way travel costs and gas prices are changing, John believes more locals will stay local this summer, and those individuals from New York State who frequent summer getaways outside of state will be more apt to travel in state.  “It’ll be a revival like the old days,” says John. 

Saratoga is not the only one changing. John has a few changes in store for Compliments. John is looking to make a bigger store, expanding the display floor further into the unused space at the back of the building. He says the public likes to walk through the old building, so why not give them some more room. Likewise, Compliments will soon be selling products on their website, www.saratogachef.com. John would also like to see more Compliments to the Chef stores some day, and he says so with a smile. 

So come into Compliments to the Chef and look for the friendly faces of Angie, Elizabeth, Maeve, Rob, John, Aubrey, Andrea, Paula, or John, all of whom are in love with cooking. They are a great staff and they are ready to serve you. You can check them out on the Web at www.saratogachef.com and look for guest chef appearances and product demonstrations at the Compliments store. 

Compliments to the Chef is located at 488 Broadway, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866. For information pertaining to products, services, pricing, and/or questions, call 518-226-4477.