Gregg Lauletta Appointed Executive Chef At Prime - An American Kitchen & Bar

Prime - An American Kitchen and Bar (117 New York Avenue, Huntington, NY [631] 385-1515 or www.restaurantprime.com) announces Gregg Lauletta as its new Executive Chef.

Lauletta, a Long Island native from Floral Park, joined Prime from Shelly Fireman's Fireman Hospitality Group where he was corporate chef. There he oversaw culinary operations for seven diverse Manhattan restaurants including Trattoria dell'Arte. Throughout the group, he oversaw kitchens that ranged from Italian and American seafood to a Tuscan-style steakhouse. As a member of the executive team that built and opened Shelly's La Tradizionale and Brooklyn Diner Times Square, Lauletta created menus for all the group's cuisine concepts.

Lauletta's culinary arts career was forged under the tutelage of Chef Larry Forgione, the 'Godfather' of American cuisine and chef-owner of An American Place and The Beekman 1766 Tavern. In 1994, the fellow Long Islander recruited the then-student of biology to assist in a celebrity-studded Miami culinary fundraiser. Lauletta was smitten. Creating and serving dishes savored by the good and the great and in an exclusive setting fired him up. Opting to exchange life with mortar and pestle in a pharmacy, for one in a fine dining establishment, Lauletta graduated first in his class from The New York Restaurant School at the Art Institute of New York City.

Since his first steps in a professional kitchen, Lauletta has worked alongside noted chefs in top spots. His formative cooking years were spent with Forgione at An American Place and Tom Colicchio at Gramercy Tavern. Honing his skills further, he became tournant to Todd English at Olives Restaurant; chef de p�rtie to Gabriel Kreuther at The Ritz-Carlton's Atelier; and sous chef to Alfred Portale at New York's legendary Gotham Bar & Grill. After a stint as executive chef at Millie's at the Americana Manhasset, Lauletta joined Fireman Hospitality Group.

Now at Prime, working with the Bohlsen family at what the New York Times' Joanne Starkey calls, "a waterfront palace with a menu to match," Lauletta is applying his know-how. His passion for fine dining is paired with dynamic kitchen management skills for assorted menus at the bar, on the deck, in the lounge and in the elegant dining room. He takes pride in cooking but also in teaching. Lauletta espouses the use of all the senses. He believes tasting is important but also is listening to the sound of a searing pan, trusting one's nose and evaluating presentation. He also teaches the importance of seasonality and of supporting local growers from New York's North Fork and Hudson Valley.

At Prime, Lauletta is the noted chef in a top spot. His talented and disciplined hand is integral to the restaurant's presentation of the latest trends in cuisine and design. The most insatiable and fashionable of diners are given a first-choice dining destination whatever their mood. Under one roof, diverse menus combine classic favorites with modern twists. The Prime experience elegantly juxtaposes the best of new and old worlds. Its dining and d�cor is underscored by excellent service and topped off by a spectacular view of Huntington Harbor. Prime is the third fine dining establishment from the Bohlsen family who own and operate the highly distinguished, top Zagat-rated Tellers Chophouse in Islip, NY and Long Island favorite, H2O Seafood Grill in Smithtown, NY.