I'm Chef Nora Von Duyke, and I specialize in colorful, fun, eclectic, and healthy food. I have been serving clients for 15
years and take great pride in my work.
I have a degree in Culinary Arts from the Culinary Institute of Savannah.
I am a retired member of the The American Culinary Federation.
I am licensed, insured and ServSafe certified.
Recently on a girls trip to Savannah, I had Chef Nora from Pantry Elf prepare a special dinner for us. We were looking for a true Southern experience and she did not disappoint! Chef Nora helped me select a menu that was perfect for our dinner. From the best crab cakes we all swore we had ever had, to the fried green tomato salad, the shrimp in sherry sauce and finally best peach cobbler, everything was outstanding! Her presentation and professionalism both shinned. I would highly recommend her for any catering event.
Anita Dunn
San Diego, CA
I highly recommend Chef Nora for all you private party needs. Her menu selection was amazing and she was extremely professional. We were very excited to have her services while staying at an Air B and B for a long weekend!!! You wont be disappointed! Thank you again, Dina Bennet and friends
As the hostess of a bachelorette party in historic Savannah, I wanted to create a memorable experience for the bride and our guests that was unique and special, and Nora was exactly what we were looking for! It was so nice to be able to relax in our rental property, while Nora and her sous-chef prepared dinner, and we didn't need to worry about any preparations, she came extremely prepared. We enjoyed the relaxed, delicious dinner that truly rivaled any of the fine dining in Savannah--and the price per person was very reasonable. Nora was a pleasure to work with, from beginning to end and ensured that the bachelorette felt spoiled!
_Catherine R.
"Our family decided to meet in Savannah for a reunion. The B&B we rented out was open to us hiring in a chef for a family dinner. I read about Pantry Elf online and reached out to talk with Nora. She was responsive to all my questions both by phone and email and created a meal that was perfect for us. Nora is charming and talented - can't beat that combination!"
Martha
Nora,
Thank YOU! Your chef services were really the cherry on top of a great long weekend! We are a family of "foodies" so getting to enjoy wonderful Southern cuisine at home in a relaxed setting was perfect! And getting to have everyone around the dinner table and no one scurrying to cook or clean up was such a treat. My mom kept going on about your tasty salad dressing and I for one am excited to try some maple glazed salmon myself at home! Everything was delicious, well presented and unstuffy and you two were wonderful to have in the kitchen while we laughed and chatted. Thank you so much for really helping make our vacation one we will always remember fondly!
Leslie
Chef Nora was an absolutely delightful chef, as well as person. She cooked a dinner for 11 ladies visiting Savannah for the first time to celebrate a friend's upcoming nuptials, and featured a "local" menu: crab cakes, seasonal salad, Savannah shrimp and polenta, and an UNbelievable peach cobbler. Throughout the whole process she was patient and accommodating: even though she had another meal to prep that day, she still committed to our party; even though I initially gave her the wrong code to enter the house (as we were out for the day and she needed time to prep in the kitchen), her pleasantness never wavered; even though our rental house's "dinner rooming table" consisted of two separate card tables and not enough to chairs, she went right along with our impromptu plan to "build" a table for 11 as we grabbed furniture from all rooms of the house. She genuinely cares and it shows right down to the little details like personalized menu cards, coordinated with the bride's wedding colors.
Would recommend to anyone, whether a single meal or private party! Thank you Chef Nora!"
Warmly,
Kelly
Thanks Nora and Roger for making my birthday dinner so fabulous. Everyone LOVED everything!!!!
I gotta say the watermelon salad might have even tasted better today. The shrimp shooters were the talk of the night. They couldn't get enough of them.
Look forward to the next time we can treat ourselves to your amazing work.
All the best, Kim & Jim
Nora: we received your very nice note today. Thanks so much for helping to make Justin's wedding day a spectacular one. The pre-wedding spread you put together for our family and the groomsmen was delicious! You went above and beyond for us and we are so grateful. Please feel free to use this note or picture as a reference or I would be happy to talk with anyone as needed. Many thanks, Lisa Rickard
Our family so enjoyed the delicious and beautifully served dinner at our house in late February. Every dish was wonderful, and we loved watching your calm, orderly preparation. Your shopping was superior! All the ingredients were fresh and tender, and the beef wellington, homemade béarnaise sauce, crab cakes, tiramisu,and salad dressing were truly extraordinary.
Thank you for sharing your talents with us.
Laura and Joe
Dear Nora,
I just wanted to let you know how much we enjoyed our dinner that you prepared for us Friday night! The Tomato Bisque flavor was outstanding...and our guest was thrilled to have a little to take home with him! Thank you for extras!!! the scallops were delicious, two of my favorite things in one dish...I didn't want to share those!! Lol the Gnocchi was spot on...a great side for our scallops.
My extreme favorite of the night was the Tiramisu!!
I try tiramisu in every restaurant that I go to…and I have to say that your’s was one of the best I’ve ever had…I really didn’t want to share those after the first bite!!
Thank you again for the delicious dinner…and for supporting our great school!!
Louella Sapone
Was thrilled to be a recipient of your wonderful talents. Thanks to your highly efficient skills, the delicious meal was beautifully and flawlessly presented.
Judy Davis, Jacksonville
Chef Nora catered a Dinner Party for 18 people in our home at the Landings. Everything was delicious and beautifully presented, especially the Beef Wellington and the Tiramisu.
We highly recommed the Pantry Elf and her helpers.
Trevor and Edwina Walker, Savannah
My kids set me up with a dinner for eight with Nora Von Duyke, the Pantry Elf, primarily as a thank-you for taking the nineteen of them on a Disney cruise at Christmas.
None of us had any real idea what to expect, since all we knew of her was her articles in the TWATL and a recommendation from a dear friend.
I knew all was well when we first talked regarding the menu plan for the evening. I happen to be a reasonably good chef (someday I will make some lady a good wife since I also do laundry) and I was impressed by her knowledge and ideas.
I spent some 68 days in Memorial Hospital last year, along with countless other days in rehab and physical therapy, so I invited the people who had done the most for me while in the hospital. It happens that many in the group are gourmet food lovers, members of the Chatham Club and so forth and every one of them was most impressed with Nora’s efforts. As, of course, was I. She and one helper served eight people apparently effortlessly, in good time, and with absolutely exquisite food.
I profusely thanked her at the time, and am very happy to write this testimonial to her personality and skills!
Dick Miller, Savannah
Thanks very much, Chef Nora for a wonderful dinner party on Saturday evening. Everything was delicious and elegant. Our party of 15 thought it was fabulous. Also, Paul and I are so grateful for your continuous help over the past few months of planning the menu and event. You made our trip to Savannah and our annual reunion with friends very special.
Marsha Maxwell Belcher
Making healthy delicious meals is an important part of how I take care of my husband and kids. When I was deployed to Afghanistan, I needed someone to continue this and was so lucky to find Nora and Pantry Elf! She listened to my requests and sent me so many meal options to choose from. She kept my family stocked with tasty well balanced dinners, which was such a load off my shoulders during this time.
Best,
Amber Aragon
Chef Nora has been absolutely fantastic for us, what a great discovery it has been. It’s quite a treat to have professionally prepared meals in your own home, as good as a high end restaurant. And with freezing the portions we don’t eat right away it allows us to continue to eat these wonderful meals at a moment’s notice. Her menu of items is so plentiful it will take a long time before we try them all. We can’t wait for her next visit…..
Rob Luby
Our family absolutely loves using the Pantry Elf! Chef Nora's dishes are always delicious and beautifully prepared! Whether she is preparing meals for our family of five or for a dinner party of ten- the food is always phenomenal! She pays attention to every detail and takes all the worry out of cooking! She shops for our groceries, cooks amazing meals, and leaves our kitchen cleaner than when she arrives! The Pantry Elf has made my life so much easier and Savannah is so lucky to have Chef Nora! Best personal chef ever!
Jenna Harkleroad
Working with Chef Nora was a wonderful experience! I hosted a bridesmaid event and contracted with Chef Nora to prepare a luncheon for the group in our home. I was very impressed with the menu choices she suggested, the problem was, it became a difficult choice they all sounded wonderful. The day of the event she arrived as scheduled and brought all the ingredients. It was a special treat for us to watch her prepare the meal. She was so personable and fun and the meal was amazing. She made our day very, very special!
Marile Astary
Chef Nora provided us with excellent and professional service for our dinner party and the meal was off the chain delicious!"
The Gault Family
Chef Nora came to our home in late March 2014 to cater a dinner party for some of our dearest friends. Not only was the food/presentation wonderful, her professionalism and kindness were impeccable. I plan to call Chef Nora in the near future so that I can again experience her fabulous culinary talents! My guests were delighted!! A real treat!!
Best,
Lisa
We have been going on our annual "girls trip" for almost 10 years now and we wanted to try something new this year when traveling to Savannah. After some internet research, I reached out to Chef Nora about coming to the house we were renting and cook us dinner one night. From the first email correspondence to the night she showed up, the process was easy and seamless. Since we couldn't meet in person before the dinner party, she sent us sample menus and choices and while utilizing local specialties, she was able to provide us with a true Savannah experience in the comfort of our own home! She and her assistant (who is also her adorable husband!) arrived and went to work quickly. We were able to enjoy each other's company and never worry about what was going on upstairs, lift a dish or clean a pot! The meal was incredible from start to finish - I even had to save my dessert because I was so full! We still talk about our experience with Chef Nora and how wonderful it was and we all are now buying the parmesan gouda cheese she introduced to us and we all loved! I recommend Chef Nora for any event you are having - big or small. She's just fantastic!
Corrin Drowica
I gave my parents Chef Nora’s services as a Christmas gift, and they said it was the best gift ever. They were delighted with every aspect of the unique service, from the comprehensive in home assessment of their food preferences, to the aromatic preparation of the delicious dishes. Seasonings were even individualized to their tastes. My parents are very busy and found this concept to greatly accommodate their life styles. We highly recommend Chef Nora and look to continue using her services.
Craig Gordon
My experience with Pantry Elf began late last spring when I was looking to do something extra special for my late husband's parents. There were no words to express to them how appreciative I was of all their love and support, so I began searching for gift ideas that would offer them a "pampered" feel while relieving some stress. While I knew my 80 year old father-in-law would not go for a couple's massage, I came across the idea of a personal chef and knew this was an even better alternative.
Nora of Pantry Elf was extremely helpful to me in planning the gift idea and bringing it to fruition. My in-laws enjoyed her company during the food preparation process and loved all of the meals prepared. The five meals lasted them even longer then five days and they seemed to enjoy critiquing each new day's creation. This was truly the best gift to give someone and I hope to one day treat myself to the services.
-Nailah Brock