A Dream That Gave Shape to Vinny’s

Some of Chef Vinny Savinelli's earliest memories are of the kitchen: watching, helping, and learning as his father, Domenico, an internationally trained chef, regularly worked his culinary magic. You can say that great food is in Vinny's blood!

"Many of my fondest childhood memories were of being in the restaurant with my parents," said Vinny, who, with his wife, Theresa, owns Vinny's Pizza & Pasta at 28 Eastman Street in Cranford, N.J. "I grew up in the business and always dreamed of having my own place. That dream eventually became a reality after Vinny graduated with a degree in business from Seton Hall University and tried his hand in the business world. The experience served to strengthen Vinny's belief that the restaurant industry is where he belonged."

"I worked outside the restaurant field for two years and quickly decided that it wasn't for me," he said. "I knew I wanted to get back into the kitchen." Returning to his dream of owning his own restaurant, Vinny opened Il Giardino in Cranford in 1992. The restaurant quickly thrived and became an asset to the community. "I love being in Cranford, I met my wife Theresa in the restaurant in Cranford, and I am raising my two children, Nicoletta and Dominic, in the community," he said.

In 2002, he sold his restaurant. He and his wife then built a restaurant in Martinsville, N.J. "Even though business was great and the people of Martinsville were nice, it was nothing like the feeling I had in Cranford," he said. After ten successful years of running a restaurant in Martinsville, Vinny and Theresa decided it was time to come back home to Cranford. They sold the restaurant and Opened Vinny's Pizza & Pasta in November 2012.