Congratulations to Chef Pete on being one of the top 5 finalists in the 2008 "Maine Lobster Chef of the Year" Competition. Please wish Pete well as he competes on July 22nd in Augusta. The kitchen is run by Executive Chef Pete Murphy.  Born and raised in Mystic, Connecticut, Pete was classically trained in French cuisine at the Johnson & Wales Culinary Institute.  He has been a chef at the Fairmont Orchid Hotel in Hawaii and at Southport’s Newagen Seaside Inn, and has served as Executive Chef of Café Zelda in Newport, RI, the Jordan Grand Hotel in Bethel, ME and, most recently, the Lawnmere Inn on Southport.  Pete calls his culinary style “creative American” and takes great pride not only in beautiful presentation, but in customer satisfaction.  "My goal for the Russell House is to have an atmosphere nice enough for special occasions, and relaxed and comfortable enough for family dining,” says Chef Murphy.