Welcome to The Napa Table
Meet Hayley - Founder & Co-Owner
A MOVE TO PARADISE THAT CREATED A VISION
The Napa Table is a dream that I never thought would become a reality. Three years ago, I found myself deep in the obsession of the slow food movement, mindful-eating culture and the amazing world of artisanal and farmstead cheese. Book after book, late-night internet searches and long, philosophical conversations couldn’t satiate the passion and excitement I felt toward this long-time-coming calling. As a life-long francophile, my travels in France (and reading, researching and talking endlessly about it!) always focused on the culinary world and the pure pleasure and passion the French derive from the simple act of preparing and eating meals.
This fascination eventually led me behind the cheese counter, where I mongered for one of the greatest cheese shops in the country, Antonelli’s Cheese Shop in Austin, Texas. Commuting from San Antonio, I brought home bites of knowledge (and so much cheese!) to share with friends and family each week. This turned into teaching small groups about cheese in their homes and sharing as much as I could about the slow food movement in a town that otherwise was filled to the brim with BBQ, burgers and queso.
Life eventually landed us in Napa, California and into my gastronomic heaven. From bounties of produce at the Farmer’s Market, to cheese shops, local grocers, world-class restaurants, rolling hills and vineyards, I felt right at home. In our first year here, we’ve seen the fig tree, then the apple tree, and then the pomelo tree all blossom right in our backyard. All I could picture was sharing this love of mine around the table, under the trees and bistro lights in the crisp Napa air.
So whether you’re in town for vacation and want to learn from a local, or live near the valley and want to dive deeper into the world of mindful eating: I hope you’ll join me at the table. I can’t wait to connect with you.
Bisous,
Hayley Pingree
Founder and Co-Owner
MEET MAREN: C0-OWNER
LIFE, MEDITATION, AND ALL THE THINGS IN BETWEEN
I was in my 30’s by the time I really found myself. Growing up in a conservative Christian household, I did everything that was expected of me and fulfilled the dutiful wife, mother, and homemaker stereotype I was supposed to. While I loved aspects of all those roles, I realized after going through a rocky divorce and facing new challenges in my belief systems and relationships, that I wanted more, or at least something different out of my life.
I was used to business, chaos, doing things to meet other’s expectations, and not spending a lot of time developing myself. After my divorce, then a remarriage and blending of families, I needed a reboot on life.
I found a deep well of spirituality within myself that I hadn’t known existed until this point. I found mindfulness. I found breathwork. I found connection with myself. I also found that once I cultivated these parts of my life, I was able to be more present and give more fully to those around me.
What calls to me in this business is, foremost, the relational aspect that becomes apparent with the clients we share this with. I had reached this point in my life where I needed a slow down in these areas - paying more attention to developing myself and taking the time to nourish myself and my relationships with loved ones. I wanted to move through life joyfully and mindfully. During my divorce and the dark times surrounding that event, I kept saying to myself, “I don't want to just survive. I want to live.”
And today, I live. This company and all that we stand for is a reflection of my inner-work and values. The cheese, the cheese, the cheese . . . is honestly, a perk! Join us either in-person or virtually, and you’ll see what I mean.
Bisous,
Maren Swenson
Co-Owner