Chef Richard Pignetti died in his sleep on Monday, Feb. 8 in New Orleans, where he was employed.
He was well-known and well-loved by the old guard of Houston's culinary scene. Years ago he had a restaurant here, Pignetti's (1996-2000), and he also had worked for Corelli's. See 1998 article in the Houston Press by Eric Lawlor: http://bit.ly/cs9Odc

Richard and I corresponded by email from time to time, the last time was in June 2009. I remember the last time I saw him - it was on a lovely fall evening a few years ago at an outdoor dinner at Debbie Jaramillo's house (she's now Debbie Wheeler). How sad that he is gone.

Richard attended the culinary arts program at Houston Community College from 1979-1980.
He served as a consultant for these restaurants:
Travis Café – Houston, TX,
Original Pasta Company – Houston, TX,
Rasputen’s Vodka Bar & Restaurant – New Orleans, LA,
The Wine Loft – New Orleans, LA,
Vaquero’s Restaurant – New Orleans, LA,
Pappamia, Pappas Group – Houston, TX,
Pizza Mare – Galveston, TX,
Cookout’s Backyard Grill – Houston, TX,
Uncle Tom’s Kitchen – Houston, TX,
Goodson’s Café – Ft. Smith, AR,
Renatta’s Continental Cuisine – Houston, TX,
Winston’s Bar & Grill – Houston,TX
Corelli’s Italian Restaurants – Houston, TX

Richard was the people's choice for "Best New Restaurant of The Year" in 1998, Houston Press,
and was a Zagat Top 40 awardee in 1999 for: Best Cuisine – New American (Top 5), Best Décor, Best Service, Best Ambiance

He was featured in: Food Arts Magazine, Nations Restaurant News, My Table, Texas Monthly,
Restaurant Business, John Mariani’s Newsletter, Houston Chronicle,
Zest Magazine, Inside Houston, Houston Business Journal, Cover Magazine Y2K,
Houston Voice, Houston Press, Zagat Survey 1999

He participated in charity events benefiting:
SOS Feed the Nation, Linda Lorelle Scholarship Fund,
Houston Food Bank, Ronald McDonald House

This is by Richard's friend and employer, Jason Doyle:


As a friend of The Wine Loft and The Doyle Restaurant Group, we are sad to inform you with the news of the passing of Richard Pignetti. Richard passed in his sleep Monday evening, February 8, 2010 in New Orleans at Maison St. Louis.

Richard was a lifelong friend of Jason Doyle, mentoring him and providing invaluable culinary training through the years at various Texas restaurants. Jason was blessed to have such a decorated certified executive chef and personal friend join the Doyle Restaurant Team in 2009.

Although Richard served as Head of Culinary Development for a mere five months; his impact on the organization and its members was immense. His colorful approach to life and passion for the culinary world was unmatched in the hospitality industry.

We will all miss him dearly.

As this news has taken all of us by surprise, details of funeral arrangements and donations will be forthcoming.