Chef Paul traveled many paths on his way to the historic Perryville restaurant that now bears his indelible stamp of unique culinary artistry. On his first visit to Naples, Italy while a naval chef for the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Paul rekindled his love for creating elegance in food. His passion then took him to the Culinary Institute of America, from which he graduated in 1984 with high honors. Following graduation, Chef Ingenito became assistant to renowned restauranteur Larry Forgione at the newly opened An American Place in New York City. During his four-year tenure, Paul worked his way up to Sous Chef. He then accompanied his mentor, Forgione, on a cooking tour of Hong Kong.

Upon his return, Paul was recruited by New York’s venerable Russian Tea Room to fill the position of Executive Sous Chef. Less than a year later he was promoted to Executive Chef at the world famous eatery and was the youngest person ever to hold that title. He remained in that capacity until the landmark restaurant closed on New Year’s Eve of 1996.

In the autumn of 1996 when David Ruggerio opened Maxim’s for Pierre Cardin he selected Paul Ingenito as Chef de Cuisine. In this position, Paul ran Maxim’s kitchen which supported both Le Bistro de Maxim’s and the fanciful Cabaret featuring contemporary French-American fare.

While exploring New Jersey restaurants in the summer of 1997, Paul and his wife Lorraine happened upon the Perryville Inn. They were completely charmed with the place and soon discovered that the dream of a lifetime was within their reach. The Ingenitos now run the Perryville Inn as a team. Their lovely Inn specializes in “classic country cuisine” amidst an elegant yet relaxed country setting.