05/21/10 Internationally Acclaimed Jean-Pierre Bagnato Joins Greenwich Landmark Versailles Restaurant as General Manager & Executive Chef

Internationally acclaimed Chef Jean-Pierre Bagnato has joined Versailles Restaurant as General Manager and Executive Chef, restaurant owner Ingrid McMenamin announced today.

Versailles, located on Greenwich Avenue, is one of the few restaurants on "The Avenue" to claim nearly 30 years of continuous service to the community.

Jean-Pierre comes to Versailles with a resume that spans the globe in some of the world's most prestigious restaurants and hotels. He most recently served as Private Chef for a local family and prior to that was Executive Chef of the acclaimed Mark Hotel in Manhattan. Before beginning his culinary journey in the U.S., he held the position of Chef Patron at Margaux at the five-star Kowloon Shangri-la Hotel in Hong Kong as well as Group Executive Chef of the Lan Kwai Fong Entertainment Group.

Jean-Pierre received his professional culinary degree in Nice, France and early in his career headed the kitchens at La Perouse on the French Rivera. He has won several awards throughout his career including Best French Chef by Tatler, Finalist in the Wedgewood's World Master of Culinary Arts Competition in 2001, and the title of Commandeur/Culinary Advisory of Les Cordons Bleus de France, the first French chef in Asia Pacific ever to receive this title.

"We are thrilled that Jean-Pierre has come to Versailles," said Versailles' owner Ingrid McMenamin. "Jean-Pierre will carry on our proud traditions while bringing a new vibrant approach to the Versailles dining experience."

"As a fellow Greenwich resident I fully appreciate Versailles as an address where people know they can still receive our tradition of quality food and service," said Chef Bagnato. "I am truly excited about Versailles' continued success and hope that our community will enjoy what we have in store for them." He added, "Our friends and neighbors can take comfort in the fact that everything they love about Versailles won't change."

About Versailles

Founded in 1980 by Maurice Clos-Versailles, the bistro and patisserie Versailles has been a Greenwich landmark and meeting place for almost 30 years. Following Maurice's untimely passing in 2008, Ingrid and Steve McMenamin, long time Greenwich residents and loyal patrons of Versailles, took over Versailles and vowed to continue its tradition of offering fresh and exceptional reasonably priced food, in a comfortable setting.

For further information contact:

Sue Stone – Tel. (203) 862-0432