About the Owner

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Owner and Executive Chef Patrick Vahey		 "Dining is an important part of life and shouldn't be reserved for special occasions.

Food should always be about enjoyment, fulfillment, and sharing the unique happiness that a great meal can bring with friends and family.

I believe in using the highest quality and freshness of ingredients.

I believe a good chef must know the classics and time-honored way of cooking and methods, this can only help in his or hers creativity and innovation in the kitchen.

A chef must be an educator to those wanting to gain knowledge.

I consider fulfilling the customer's needs, to the best of one's ability, a Chef's responsibility.

I'm looking forward to seeing all of you and hopefully playing a part in making your next dining experience a rewarding one, filled with laughter and great food."
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Pennini's Pizza & Pasta was founded in 1998 by Michael Pennini, with the vision of becoming a true neighborhood destination. Executive Chef Patrick Vahey joined the Pennini's team in 2002 and helped to launch Moraga's newest fine dining experience, Michael's Restorante.

In 2006, Michael retired and Pat officially took the helm as Owner/Operator. Pat is a graduate of the California Culinary Academy in San Fransisco and has been perfecting his recipes for more than 20 years. Influenced by the Italian tradition and a love of good food, his philosophy is straightforward: to use the freshest, best quality ingredients, prepare food simply and properly, and to serve it with joy.

Since opening our doors, we've made some wonderful friends, had lots of laughs and dished up a whole lotta pizzas!

Community Involvement-click for info
Fundraising Dinner Nights-click for info