Paul Fleming

Paul Martin Fleming is an American restaurateur. He has developed a number of restaurant chains, including P. F. Chang's China Bistro, Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar, Pei Wei Asian Diner, Z’Tejas Grills, and Paul Martin's American Grill. Early life Fleming is a native of Franklin, Louisiana, and was raised in New Iberia, Louisiana. His parents were Betty Angers and Robert Martin Fleming, his father worked as a superior court judge. His grandfather was a farmer. Fleming's access to fresh, local produce as a child was a large influence on his restaurant career. Fleming graduated from both Louisiana State University and Loyola University. As a student at Loyola in New Orleans, Fleming first worked in the hospitality industry. When Fleming attended Louisiana State University, Fleming got his first restaurant job as a dishwasher at Saturday's. From there, he became busboy, server, bartender, and finally, the manager. Fleming raised a family in Arizona. Then he moved to Calistoga, California in Napa Valley, where he and his first wife Kelly made wine from the organic grapes Paul grew. They purchased the land in 1998, and in 2002 the Kelly Fleming Winery was founded.