Executive Chef - Peter Sclafani, III

        Chef Peter Sclafani is a third generation chef and restaurateur from New Orleans. Peter’s Grandfather, Peter, Sr. opened a restaurant in mid-city New Orleans on Palmyra Street in 1945. As business grew, he decided to expand his operation into Metairie, a suburb of New Orleans. His good friend, actor Rudy Vallee, broke ground on Causeway Boulevard for his new restaurant, which was phenomenally popular with locals and tourist alike. In 1969, Peter, Jr. and his wife Jean, went out on their own to open a seafood restaurant in east New Orleans on Downman Road. In 1980, the Sclafani family expanded their business to its current location on Hayne Boulevard with over 10,000 square foot restaurant and catering space. Their two sons, Peter and Gino, joined them full time in 1990.

        At the request of the Chateau LeMoyne Hotel, the Sclafani family took over the food service operation in the hotel in January of 1995. Chef Peter Sclafani, III was the General Manager and Chef at this new venture. Chef Sclafani is a graduate of Louisiana State University with a degree in finance and has attended the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York. He served on the Board of Directors of the Louisiana Restaurant Association’s New Orleans Chapter and is a member of the American Culinary Federation. He has won several culinary awards including the Celebrity Chef of New Orleans Cookoff, Chefs in America Medallion, “Best of Show” and “Most Creative Use of Seafood” at the 1997 Superbowl Players’ Party, and was named on the “Five Rising Star Chefs” by food critic Tom Fitzmorris. He was also a celebrity guest chef participating in the Southern Flavor Festival in Montgomery, Alabama. In addition, Chef Sclafani was a winner of the silver medal in the Louisiana Gold Culinary Classic in November, 1997. Sclafani’s in the French Quarter was named one of the 10 best Nouvelle Creole restaurants in New Orleans by the MacMillan Travel Guide, The Unofficial Guide to New Orleans, in March, 1998.

        In the summer of 1998, Chef Sclafani joined TJ Moran and Ruffin Rodrigue in the creation of a Creole Italian concept called DiNardo’s. Named after the LSU football coach, Gerry DiNardo, DiNardo’s opened to much acclaim on October 5, 1998. After the firing of Gerry DiNardo, the name was changed to Ruffino’s Italian Restaurant and Chef Sclafani and Ruffin Rodrigue joined TJ Moran as partners in Ruffino’s. Chef Sclafani is a frequent guest on WBRZ’s morning show and WAFB’s Saturday cooking segments. He makes many personal appearances in New Orleans and Baton Rouge including the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, The French Quarter Festival, A Taste of Baton Rouge, and many others. Recently, Ruffino’s was awarded Best Italian Restaurant, Best Appetizer, and Best Date Night Restaurant in Baton Rouge by the readers of the Advocate. Additionally, Chef Sclafani was voted Chef of the Year and Ruffino’s was voted Restaurant of the Year by the Baton Rouge Hospitality Association.