A native New Englander, Lee brings over two decades of formal culinary training and experience to his post as Executive Chef of Vignola and Cinque Terre restaurants.


After graduating from Newbury College’s Culinary School, Chef Skawinski travelled throughout Europe to learn firsthand about seasonal cooking and top-tier wines. He went on to make a name for himself by cooking at Boston's Four Seasons Hotel before moving on to chef at Freeport's Harraseeket Inn. Chef Skawinski also owned his own dining establishment, the Habañeros Tequilaria and Barbeque in Kennebunk.

Known for his commitment to presenting authentic, seasonal Italian ingredients and fine Italian wines, Chef Skawinski travels annually to Italy with Vignola and Cinque Terre staff to meet with Italian artisanal cheese and cured meat producers, as well as with internationally acclaimed winemakers. These Italian "finds" make their way onto the innovative menus at each acclaimed restaurant, and add to what patrons — and food press — rate as a truly authentic Italian dining experience.


Chef Skawinski is a member of the James Beard Foundation and the Maine Organic Farmers and Garners Association (MOFGA). He also is active in the Slow Food Movement, and in Gruppo Ristoranti Italiani, a highly regarded national group of influential restaurateurs dedicated to elevating the perception of Italian food and wine throughout the hospitality industry.Skawinski’s cuisine has been showcased by the likes of Gourmet, The New York Times and Food Network. Additionally, in the spring of 2008 Epicurious featured Skawinski when it included Cinque Terre on its list of “Top 10 Farm-to-Table Restaurants in the U.S.A.” It is the growing farm-to-table movement which most influences the fare coming out of Skawinski’s kitchen. Many top-tier restaurants throughout the state purchase vegetables and produce from local Maine farms in season, but Skawinski takes that a step further: Vignola and Cinque Terre plant seeds and grow their own vegetables, greens and other all-natural produce at their own Grand View Farm in nearby Greene, Maine.