Best of Greater Pittston: Dante LaFratte is named ‘Best Chef’

PITTSTON — Dante LaFratte has been involved in the food industry from as far back as he could remember, beginning at age 5 when he would help his dad at the family restaurant.

50 years later, LaFratte hasn’t stopped, and in fact, he’s busier than ever.

This year, LaFratte was voted the winner of the Best Chef category for the Best of Greater Pittston Awards 2024.

“I’m very appreciative, and it’s unexpected,” LaFratte said of the honor. “I have a lot of friends in this business who are chefs, and I never really considered myself a chef, because I’m all self-taught. This is certainly an honor.”

Dante took over the family business and ran LaFratte’s Restaurant on Main Street in Pittston for many years, but he eventually closed its doors to focus on catering. Even without a storefront, Dante is extremely busy today with catering weddings, private parties as well as corporate parties.

In addition to his work with his catering business, a few years ago, LaFratte stepped in to save the day when Pittston Meals on Wheels was inches away from shutting down. He spends a few days a week there preparing up to 100 meals a day.

As a matter of fact, because of his work at Meals on Wheels, the Sunday Dispatch chose LaFratte Person of the Year in Greater Pittston in 2021.

In a 2021 Sunday Dispatch article, LaFratte said, “Immediately, I loved being here (Meals on Wheels). Being raised the correct way by my mother and father, my dad never said no. He had his small group of friends who all helped each other, so I saw that growing up, and to me, I enjoy what I do for anyone.”

In the past LaFratte’s helped out cooking for the former St. Mary’s Assumption Church and school, Our Lady of the Eucharist, the Greater Pittston Santa Squad, and Pittston Area football team.

For information on Dante and LaFratte’s catering, visit www.lafrattes.com or his Facebook page at www.facebook.com/groups/LAFRATTES.