About Us
Our
Story
Chef Stash was born right here in New Hampshire, where small-town markets, local farms, and community festivals are part of everyday life. As a married couple who love cooking, gathering, and sharing, we wanted to create something that celebrates the simple truth: good food should always be high quality, and it should always be within reach.
For us, food isn’t about luxury—it’s about living well. We believe that a well-stocked pantry filled with honest, flavorful ingredients can turn an ordinary meal into something memorable. That belief became the foundation for Chef Stash: a New Hampshire brand committed to making chef-inspired sauces, jams, and provisions that are approachable, affordable, and always rooted in quality.
Meet the Team
We’re a married couple who believe everyone deserves a pantry stocked with high-quality, chef-crafted essentials. With Chef Stash, we’re transforming the everyday pantry into a place of discovery—bringing bold flavors, honest ingredients, and a touch of creativity to every table.
Co-Founder & Culinary Creator
Sean Manown
Sean is a professionally trained chef and graduate of the Culinary Institute of America. Over the years, he’s cooked in some of the country’s most respected kitchens, including working with some of the most critically acclaimed chefs in the north east.
But Sean’s career has always been about more than fine dining. He’s built out dining programs and menus for an upscale retirement community in Sarasota, Florida, where he took pride in delivering the best food to people who didn’t always have access to it. More recently, he helped design and lead corporate dining experiences for Boston’s newest high-rise, One Congress, bringing chef-quality meals to busy professionals.
Through all of these experiences, one thing has stayed the same: Sean’s passion for creating food that feels special—whether it’s in a five-star restaurant, a community dining room, or your own kitchen. With Chef Stash, he brings that same dedication to flavor and quality into products anyone can enjoy, right at home.
Co-Founder & Strategist
Mary Helmle
Mary is the vision and momentum behind Chef Stash. With a career in business strategy and analytics, she has supported both Fortune 500 companies and fast-moving startups—helping them grow, streamline operations, and make smarter decisions. That mix of experience gives her the ability to see the big picture while staying focused on the details that really matter.
At Chef Stash, Mary channels that same expertise into building a brand that feels as thoughtful as it is delicious. She ensures that every product, every label, and every customer interaction reflects the values she and Sean share: quality, accessibility, and community.
For Mary, good food shouldn’t be reserved for fine dining or those with bigger budgets. It should be part of everyday life.
She’s passionate about making chef-quality flavors approachable—whether you’re a home cook, a busy parent, or someone who just loves discovering something new for the pantry.