Russell Pagano

Executive Chef

Executive Chef, Russell Pagano, of the Walpack Inn, Walpack Center, NJ. A New Jersey native and long time resident of Sussex County, is essentially self-taught with his 30-year career beginning in 1977 at the Walpack Inn. With time spent working in New York and Pennsylvania, owning The Blue Mountain Inn and as Executive Chef for Arthur's Taverns, he returned to The Walpack Inn as Executive Chef/General Manager in 2003.

Chef Pagano's love and excitement for food is demonstrated in the commitment and great interest he has put into creating great entrees, appetizers and deserts at The Inn. He utilizes fresh locally grown ingredients and has changed and enhanced the Walpack Inn menu, while refining some of the old favorites.

The local media has recognized Russ for his generous contributions of time, talent and great food for numerous charitable events as well as his authentic New England Lobster Bake.

The Walpack Inn has been a fixture in Sussex County, as well as a New Jersey landmark for nearly 60 years. Famous for its large loaves of Brown Bread, which Pagano has taken nationally, serving it at such events as the Academy Awards.

The Inn has also hosted many high profile events such as: The Beach Boys, Charlie Daniels Band, The New Jersey Pops, Arlo Guthrie, and Forbes Capitalists Tools Motorcycle Club, as well as being recognized by various media including The New York Times, The Newark Star Ledger and Zagat Restaurant Guide.

When he is not in the kitchen, you will often find Chef Pagano in the fields around the Inn with his Springer Spaniels or floating his favorite wild trout river perusing his other passions—hunting and fly fishing. He and his girlfriend, Pat, reside on the grounds of the Inn surrounded by the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area.