Six California Kitchens: A Collection of Recipes, Stories, and Cooking Lessons from a Pioneer of California Cuisine

Watch the entire event in the video linked above. Pictured: Yountville Mayor John F Dunbar presents a formal proclamation to Sally’s family for Sally and Don’s contributions to the Town of Yountville.

The Legacy of Sally & Don Schmitt, presented by Yountville Arts was held Thursday, June 30 at the Yountville Community Center. It was an evening designed to bring the communities of family, friends, chefs, and residents together to honor the history, spirit, and culinary contributions that Sally & Don Schmitt made to Yountville and the Napa Valley.

The Schmitt Family moved from Fresno to Yountville in 1967; Don took the job of re-imagining the old Grossinger Estate Winery. Their influence began when Don opened the Vintage 1870 shopping arcade, and Sally created the Vintage Café and, shortly after, the Chutney Kitchen. Sally quickly became known for her farm-to-table cooking style. In 1974 the couple left Vintage 1870 and the restaurants and moved down Washington Street to a run-down old building, historically known as The French Laundry. With the help of the entire Schmitt family, The French Laundry restaurant opened in 1978 with Sally in the kitchen and Don at the front of the house, welcoming guests and assisting with wine choices.

Even as their business enterprises took flight, Don became more interested in the future of the Town of Yountville. By 1976 Don had served on the Town Council for thirteen years, four of which were as Mayor. He labored to preserve the Town’s rural charm while setting the stage for businesses to flourish.

The stories and experiences of our community members spawned by knowing Sally & Don were the focus of The Legacy of Sally and Don Schmitt. Writer Lori Narlock served as Moderator to a prestigious panel consisting of Byron Hoffman, grandson of Sally and Don and art director of Sally’s new book Six California Kitchens; Chef and Cookbook Author Cindy Pawlcyn; Yountville business person George Rothwell; Retired Chef Janet Blicker; and Janet Trefethen Co-Founder and Proprietor of Trefethen Family Vineyards. The program was Open-Mic for the community to share their individual experiences of Sally and Don.

As reported by The Yountvillian:

“One could only learn from the past and move on through the present to make a better future.” “The future belongs to those who learn from the past and live brilliantly in the present moment.” – Jason Medina.

This quote very well encapsulates what I learned while listening to the panel speak about Don & Sally Schmitt. A sold-out crowd at the Yountville Community Center listened to a full panel that gave us the history and legacy of Don and Sally. From the current workings with Sally and her grandson, Byron Hoffman, on her book/cookbook, Six California Kitchens, to learning the history of the family from Janet Trefethen, Cindy Pawlcyn, and Joanne Blicker; the event honored Sally and Don’s history, spirit, and culinary contributions to Yountville and the Napa Valley. The three restaurants they operated in Yountville and Don’s tireless contributions to the Town of Yountville as Mayor, councilmember, and advocate are shining examples of what we should expect from all those in our business community. And all our community members.

Definitely Bedford Falls at its finest…