It’s no secret that we’re passionate about Sonoma, California, where our founder Chuck Williams opened the first Williams-Sonoma store and the history of our company began. In addition to its farm fresh cuisine and world renowned wines, what we really love about the area are the locals: the chefs, winemakers, artisans and producers who make Sonoma so special. In fact, we spent a whole season exploring the wine country, meeting as many people as possible and discovering new destinations for dining, tasting and more.
This weekend, we’ll return to Sonoma to reopen Chuck’s original location as a landmark store and cooking school. Naturally, we’ve asked the local community to join us! Some of the valley’s best chefs have signed on to help celebrate our homecoming and teach cooking classes at the Williams-Sonoma store (see a full schedule below). Here’s what they had to say about it.
Sondra Bernstein, Proprietor, the girl & the fig
“I have had the pleasure of meeting Chuck on several occasions, serving him and talking about some of his early memories of being in Sonoma. I think I fell off my chair the first time the Williams-Sonoma food buyer inquired about our food products for inclusion in their catalog. It was a pivotal moment for us. Williams-Sonoma has created a worldwide reputation for being the irrefutable expert in food and entertaining. Williams-Sonoma belongs in our town. I love that this location is more of a boutique store and that it will be an original, just like how it began.” |
Duskie Estes, Chef/Co-Owner of Zazu Kitchen + Farm and Black Pig Meat Co. “We are so excited to be a part of Williams Sonoma’s homecoming back to its original spot. They have always showcased Sonoma’s style and sensibility. I can’t wait to have a place to go get all of our kitchen needs. They have 100% supported our efforts at Black Pig Meat Co. to use only the best pasture raised pigs. Welcome home! Now open the damn doors.” |
Cindy Pawlcyn, Chef/Owner, Mustards Grill and Cindy’s Backstreet Kitchen “Chuck Williams is one of my culinary heroes, and I was honored to bake a pineapple upside-down cake for his 80th birthday. When Williams-Sonoma opened in [my hometown] Minneapolis, it was a big-time treat for me to get to the store.” |
- 10/7: Chef Jen Demerest of Harvest Moon Cafe
- 10/13: Executive Chef Billy Reid of HopMonk Tavern
- 10/14: Chef/Owner Duskie Estes of Zazu Kitchen & Farm
- 10/20: Chef and Culinary Instructor Jason Kupper
- 10/21: Chef Dustin Valette of Dry Creek Kitchen
- 11/3: Executive Chef Todd Thompson of The Red Grape
- 11/11: St. Francis Winery – Wine Pairing Dinner
- 12/12: Chef Cindy Pawlcyn of Mustards Grill
4 comments
I,ve been living in Sonoma…now for seven years..William Sonoma is “my new neighbor ” on Broadway.Coming from Los Angeles (Melrose Village}.. this is so amazing.. that the orginal site reopened. Went there right after work on Saturday October 4th. An amazing site, with elegant , classy features. It certainly will bring an increase of tourists, business for Sonoma, What a beautiful town to live in..Thank you, to Chuck Williams who grandfathered all this beauty.
I can tell each time I have been to Sonoma I have so enjoyed myself.
My mother’s family is from Northern California so I had been there a few times while I was growing up. But it became even more special when my husband (then boyfriend -fiance) went on a trip there and he loved the area just as much. We have been back once since we married 16 yrs ago. Time and money and other things do not allow us to go quite so often.
I wish all the best as you “re-open” the Sonoma branch.
….So when do we get to win a trip to the New Original location with meals at these local Sonoma restaurants? My husband and daughter and I are already drooling… Of course, I should admit that my daughter is 10 months old, but my husband and I are drooling for YOU. In the very best sense.
Marissa
I’m proud to be a part of this great company and I’m so thrilled that we celebrated Chuck in this way! Happy birthday Chuck Williams! Without you, we are nothing! Congratulations on 99 years of inspiring people to love their homes and to the new/old store in Sonoma!!! Dreams really do come true! Claire Hardy Store 90. Princeton,NJ