Tracy TorresFor 20 years, the Ritter sisters have been delighting Salem with delicious delicacies and surprising us with original dishes. Jessica and Cecilia Ritter began their culinary journey together opening their first restaurant, Wild Pear, in 2000 out South River Road. In 2004, they opened their current and only location on State Street. If you have ever ventured downtown for lunch, you know it is a popular destination. You will often see patrons braving the cold waiting for tables because they know the scrumptious rewards are worth a little chill.
A dynamic business team, each sister brings her talents to the table. Jessica, a graduate of Boston University’s Culinary Arts Program, trained with culinary icons Julia Child and Jacques Pepin. She creates the restaurant’s flavorful, seasonally-inspired menu and directs the catering team. Cecilia’s hospitality experience extends from front of house to the kitchen as she contributes to the creation of seasonally-inspired dishes, yet primarily focuses on management, community relations and branding/marketing.
Both Jessica and Cecilia have branched out and created individual restaurants to serve the community. Jessica runs Ritter’s Housemade Foods downtown which offers a completely different menu from Wild Pear and offers dinner as well as a lunch menu. Cecilia went back to her South Salem roots and opened ACME Cafe serving made from scratch American cuisine, which recently sold to new owners.
Writing this intro has made me hungry. So let’s stop, grab some grub, and peek at what makes these two culinarians sizzle!
Jessica
Favorite thing about Salem? The People!
Favorite thing to do in Salem? Visit Minto Dog park with our two labs. Go out to eat with friends and family. Sunday brunch at Acme.
Favorite food or meal to prepare? Vietnamese food is my favorite and cooking it at home and making the foods my mother made for us when we were growing up. It’s a real treat.
What does success mean to you? Having the freedom to do what I love and affecting others and the community is a positive way.
Would you rather be able to speak another language or talk with animals? Talk with animals!
Who or what has influenced you most and why? My parents. They taught me life lessons and skills that have helped me be a good human being.
If you were to meet your 20-year-old self, what advice would you give them? Keep calm and be objective. Invest in a retirement account now. Compounding interest is your friend.
Chunky or creamy peanut butter? Creamy.
Chocolate or vanilla? Vanilla.
Sweet or savory? Savory. Crunchy & Salty.
Cecilia
Favorite thing about Salem? Central location to mountains, lakes, waterfalls, desert and the ocean. And the small-town feel that allows you to connect with your community while big enough to offer a lot of amenities.
Favorite thing to do in Salem? Walk/run at Minto Island Park with my dogs, and attend the annual Salem Art Fair.
Favorite food or meal to prepare? Goi Cuon, Vietnamese fresh Spring Rolls.
What does success mean to you? Hard work, perseverance, sacrifice, integrity and most of all the pursuit of something you love will bring you to it. Sharing it with those that helped you along the way, there is no greater feeling of accomplishment.
Would you rather be able to speak another language or talk with animals? Come on, talk with my fur boys!? No brainer!
Who or what has influenced you most and why? My parents & my faith- they instilled in me values through tangible examples of sacrifice, selflessness and how to love. My faith in God provides the compass for meaning, hope, and a perspective that reminds me my life is meant to be shared, love is the answer, and this life is temporary so go ahead and breathe.
If you were to meet your 20-year-old self what advice would you give them? Give yourself the gift of time — to play more, travel more, spend with your family and friends because they don’t last but the memories do.
Chunky or creamy peanut butter? Chunky, is there any other kind?
Chocolate or vanilla? Vanilla, you can always put chocolate sauce on it.
Sweet or savory? Savory, any day, everyday! Except when it comes to ice cream and souffle pancakes.
This story originally ran in Press Play Salem issue 11 (Feb/Mar 2020)
UPDATE (Sept. 12, 2020) — A message posted on the Wild Pear’s Facebook page has let the community know that Jessica Ritter has died.
“It is with the heaviest of hearts we announce the passing of our beloved sister, partner and co-founder, Jessica. She fought a courageous battle with an aggressive pancreatic cancer, and in true spirit she wanted to make sure we were taking care of our customers in the midst of it. She was more than just an owner of Wild Pear & Ritter’s, but the heart and soul of what we stand for, a gathering place for community to share in great food, cheer and friendship. Through this mission she developed many deep relationships among our community and staff. She was a friend and a mentor to many and will be greatly missed. We, as her siblings and partners are honored to continue this legacy she left with us because it touches lives in a significant way, like she did.
A memorial celebrating her life will be held in the spring or summer when COVID restrictions are lifted so her many friends can attend.
We greatly appreciate the support of your prayers as we do our best to honor Jessica in taking care of all of you. The void she leaves with us is deep and unfillable, but with her bright heavenly light guiding us we will forge ahead.
With our sincerest appreciation,
Cecilia & Mike Ritter
Honored Sister & Brother, Co-Owners of Wild Pear & Ritter’s”
The Instigator
