Sonoma, Napa Restaurateurs Win American Dream Award for Outstanding Contributions to Community

The local immigrant business owners were honored for their entrepreneurial achievements, educational initiatives and public service.


Amid sweeping immigration raids and deportations across the country, Rep. Mike Thompson, D-St. Helena, is honoring North Bay immigrants for outstanding contributions to their communities.

On June 30, Thompson presented the Sonoma County American Dream Award to restaurateur Pemba Sherpa, recognizing his entrepreneurial achievements, educational initiatives and public service.

“Mr. Sherpa has embodied the American dream through (the) creation of his restaurants Taste of the Himalayas and Farmhouse Sonoma, and his unwavering commitment to our community,” Thompson said.

Pemba Sherpa is the recipient of the Sonoma County American Dream Award
Pemba Sherpa with a tray of traditional food and drink. ‘Losar,’ the Nepalese New Year, was colorfully celebrated at the Taste of the Himalayas restaurant on the Plaza Feb. 9, 2016. Since Sonoma is home to a large Sherpa community, Pemba Sherpa, proprietor of the restaurant, decided it was time to recognize this important holiday locally. (Robbi Pengelly/Index-Tribune)

Sherpa was raised in a small Himalayan village and immigrated to the United States in 1997 to pursue higher education and attend culinary school. He worked with the late Michael Chiarello in Napa before opening Taste of the Himalayas in downtown Sonoma in 2003. His latest venture, Farmhouse Sonoma, opened in May.

“Immigrants are our neighbors and colleagues, soldiers and first responders, doctors and lawyers, farmers, entrepreneurs, teachers and so much more,” Thompson continued as he presented the award. “Our nation would not be the powerhouse of the world without their contributions to our country’s history, culture and economy.”

Cisneros received the Napa County American Dream Award.
Cinthya Cisneros, owner of La Cheve Bakery and Brews in Napa, Thursday, Aug. 31, 2023. Cisneros received the Napa County American Dream Award. (Beth Schlanker / The Press Democrat)

Cinthya Cisneros of Napa’s La Cheve Bakery and Brews received the Napa County American Dream Award. Born in Michoacán, Mexico, Cisneros has lived in Napa for most of her life, working as both a teacher and bartender. Her family-owned Mexican bakery, craft beer taproom and restaurant, which opened in 2020, provides scholarships for local college students.

Cisneros is also the founder of the forthcoming Con Amor Botanas y Tequila restaurant in downtown Napa and an advisory board member of the nonprofit scholarship organization 10,000 Degrees.

You can reach Dining Editor Heather Irwin at heather.irwin@pressdemocrat.com. Follow Heather on Instagram @biteclubeats.