Inserra Supermarkets Names Paul “Chef Paulie” Valetutti as New Corporate Chef

On Aug 10, 2015

Inserra Supermarkets has named Paul “Chef Paulie” Valetutti as its new corporate chef. In this role, Valetutti will spearhead the expansion of Inserra’s prepared gourmet foods division and culinary workshop programming led by ShopRite’s in-store registered dietitians. Inserra Supermarkets owns and operates 22 ShopRite stores located throughout New Jersey and New York.

“Inserra’s expansion of its prepared gourmet foods division and in-store culinary workshop programming aligns perfectly with the company’s philosophy of focusing on the health and wellness of customers,” said Valetutti. “Our prepared food offerings will feature an array of local, seasonal products for our customers seeking convenient, healthy eating options as well as a full menu to meet our customers’ needs.”

Valetutti, who resides in Hoboken, has cooked professionally under the tutelage of James Beard Award-winning Chef Bradford Thompson. The two worked together at the renowned Phoenician Restaurant in Scottsdale, Arizona, which was voted one of the top 50 restaurants nationwide.

An advocate of farm to table ideals, Valetutti has established a number of farmers’ markets, consulted on local food initiatives and developed numerous food products. In addition, he founded Tutti Cibi, culinary consulting firm. Valetutti grew up in the culinary-centered Italian family of Salumeria Biellese, a long-established retailer and wholesaler of traditional Italian salumi, where his father, Paul Valetutti, Sr. was co-owner. Valetutti also served as head chef of Biricchino Restaurant in Manhattan, an affiliate of Salumeria Biellese.

“Chef Paulie is highly regarded for his impressive food science background and vast experience in the culinary world,” said Lindsey Inserra, vice president of health and wellness. “We are thrilled to have him join our Inserra family and lead our efforts in standardizing our recipes, offering restaurant-quality food at an affordable price while expanding our food services department to increase consistency across all of our stores. Our customers are looking for convenience and quality when it comes to prepared foods, and under Chef Paulie’s guidance, we are excited to provide that to the customers and community we serve.”

Table to Table, a community-based food rescue program in northern New Jersey, recently named Valetutti and Lindsey Inserra as its first junior board members. Well-respected as a good corporate citizen, Inserra Supermarkets has a longstanding relationship with Table to Table as well as numerous other community organizations. Lawrence Inserra, Jr., chairman and CEO of Inserra Supermarkets, serves on the board of Table to Table as well.

In addition to his efforts with Table to Table, Valetutti is an active member of other culinary-focused organizations, including Slow Food USA, Heinz’s Culinary Chefs Council, Research Chefs Association and Darden’s Italian Chefs Council. He earned his bachelor’s degree in food science/culinology from Rutgers University.

Culinary workshops for adults and kids are held each month at ShopRites in Ramsey, Northvale, Hoboken, Jersey City, Lyndhurst, and Wallington. ShopRite’s in-store dietitian program is designed to provide customers with a free wellness resource while they are shopping or planning meals. Each store also hosts a LiveRight calendar of events featuring healthy food and meal preparation tips for people of all ages.

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