Chef Sal Impastato

Sal Impastato, son of Giuseppe “Pippino” and Marianna Impastato born in Cinisi, Sicily in 1942. Chef Sal grew up in Sicily working on the family farm learning to make cheese, olive oil, tomato sauce, wine and much more from the fresh ingredients that were cultivated on their family farm.

He learned about the importance of quality, sustainable ingredients at a very young age. Growing up Chef Sal was introduced to traditional Sicilian ways of cooking and a taste for homemade cuisine with fresh ingredients.

In 1960 at only 18 years of age Chef Sal immigrated to New Orleans to follow his dream to open his own restaurant. He worked at many great restaurants and soon met his mentor the great Chef Chris Kerageorgiou of La Provence Restaurant. They shared a passion for fresh natural ingredients. Chef Chris taught Sal about the art of French cuisine.

In 1974 Chef Chris talked Sal into opening a restaurant right down the street from his own. Sal & Judy’s Restaurant opened it’s doors off the beaten path in Lacombe, LA to locals 7 days a week for lunch and dinner. The Impastato family lived at the restaurant the first 3 years it was open. Sal & Judy’s is the original Creole Italian Restaurant. Sal & Judy’s Restaurant went on to be a great success and is among the highest rated restaurants in Louisiana for over 35 years. Chef Sal continues to be there everyday cooking and greeting his customers.

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In 1995 the demand for Sal & Judy’s in-house pasta sauces and salad dressings grew so large that Chef Sal Impastato decided to share his kitchen with his customers by creating a line of Sal & Judy’s Products. He followed the same principals that made his restaurant so successful. “Take pride in what you do, use the best and freshest ingredients, give your customers a value for their hard earned money.” His sauces are made with only the best imported Italian tomatoes. Upon its inception, the line included only two products: Italian dressing and original tomato sauce.

Chef Sal Impastato began preparing the sauce and dressing in the back of the restaurant, before moving to a larger distribution facility. His original pasta sauce is the #1 selling premium pasta sauce in Louisiana. Chef Sal has also cultivated a Heart Smart pasta sauce line for those counting calories, sodium, etc. Chef Sal is 74 and continues to be involved in the daily operations of his restaurant and products.

Our line is the top selling specialty pasta sauce line in the Gulf Coast area. Chef Sal and Chef Chris collaborated on the restaurant’s famous “Creole Italian” house dressing. Chef Chris encouraged Chef Sal to bottle his dressing telling him that he had a unique and incredible product.

Our line is the top selling specialty pasta sauce line in the Gulf Coast area.

Chef Sal and Chef Chris collaborated on the restaurant’s famous “Creole Italian” house dressing. Chef Chris encouraged Chef Sal to bottle his dressing telling him that he had a unique and incredible product.