Meet the Team
Ashley Keeler, Executive Chef
Born in Chicago, Illinois, Ashley has lived and cooked in many places, including Yorkshire, England, Washington, DC and Denver, Colorado. San Francisco is where she has chosen to stay, put down roots and grow. Although she has been the left-hand woman of many establishments, The Roost on Ellis is the first storefront she can call her own.
When not functioning as the utility knife that being a restauranteur entails, Ashley is an avid potter and gardener. Both of these hobbies are sure to become very visible at The Roost in the growing indoor garden!
Ryan Shelton, Owner
Though born in the Bay Area, Ryan began his career in Souther California, soaking up world culinary knowledge from stints at various bistros featuring everything from Vietnamese to French to Indian cuisine. He cut his teeth in fine dining and pastry at the Ritz Carlton, Laguna Niguel before joining a team that would go on to earn two Michelin Stars at Baumé Restaurant with Chef Ryan as Chef de Cuisine. He enjoyed stints as Executive Chef of several restaurants throughout the greater Bay from Santa Cruz to San Francisco, where as Chef of Verbena in Russian Hill, he decided to finally “put down roots” in The City and open Merchant Roots. Ryan is a passionate chef with a proud Italian heritage, who has spent his career honing his skills. He is devoted to handmade pasta, charcuterie, and all things sweet.
38 North Chicken
Arguably the most indispensable cast member here is the amazing chicken from 38 North from Petaluma, California. Locally produced at a small scale, this chicken vegetarian fed, Halal and Humane Handling Certified and free of antibiotics and hormones. The Roost’s signature rub might be a secret, but its no secret that the real magic is in the ingredients used, starting with Bassian Farm’s 38 North Chicken.