Napa's Community Table: Good Food In A Surprising Place

NAPA VALLEY, CA — Like all restaurants, this Napa Valley one began with a concept — a non-profit with downtown standards housed in a county agency intended to serve people whose choices are limited by their means or proximity.

The restaurant is Windston's CUP, an acronym for Community Unity Project. The address is 2751 Napa Valley Corporate Drive, B, in the Health and Human Services South Napa campus.

Dining options along the open stretch of land near the Napa Valley Junior College are limited. But even without much competition, the owners knew the decor had to be comfortable and the food worthy of Third Street, but at a price-point affordable to someone who is there for an appointment with their social worker and fast enough to meet the schedules of both.

"We wanted to offer good food for people in need," co-owner and chef Alex Macaraig said.

The long room is typical of a no-frills government cafeteria, but sunny with walls painted in a green-gray color. A small community library stands at one of the room, and the food counters at another. It's a place comfortable enough to work in, or meet others for coffee or lunch.

On a Friday afternoon, two county workers chatted at a small table while sharing a meal of tomato soup and sandwiches.

Nearby, two men — one a social worker — happened to run into each other and exchanged greetings. "How are you doing now," the social worker asked. "I'm getting back on my feet," the other said, pulling on a black backpack and adding that he was housed after being in a shelter.

Macaraig already knew how to run a restaurant when he decided to open Winston's CUP.

He worked in sales and then as a chef before launching Winston's Cafe and Bakery, a favorite lunch destination on Third Street.

He opened the first location with his wife, Cassan Macaraig.

She is a social worker, but has become increasingly busy with Winston's, according to Macaraig.

"When you open a restaurant, the whole family opens a restaurant," he said.

Winston's CUP formalized the couple's commitment to food access, which started with fundraisers, delivering lunches to encampments, and serving people holiday dinners.

Now the chef and the social worker are now learning how to run a non-profit inside of a county building at the scale they dreamed of when they opened in October 2024.

"The food we serve here can't be lesser than downtown," Alex Macaraig said.

But it has to be faster. The turn around is five minutes, the culinary director, Mark Johnston, said.

Winston's accepts WIC, CalFresh, and meal vouchers. Recipients also receive vouchers for Winston's when they attend classes and meetings.

The partnership with the county also includes a work program that introduces participants to professional cooking and food services, preparing them for entry-level industry jobs, according to an announcement by the Health and Human Services Agency.

Participants can earn a food handlers’ certificate as part of the program and receive education and training on basic safety guidelines and technical skills required to work in a commercial kitchen, and customer service. Participants include people enrolled in the agency's subsidized on-the-job training, expanded subsidized employment, and unpaid work experience placements.

“Winston’s Café and Bakery is renowned in Napa for their fresh, healthy, and delicious food offerings. Winston’s CUP will carry forward this tradition with a focus on giving back to the community,” the Director of Napa County Health and Human Services Agency, Jennifer Yasumoto, said at the time. “This is truly a unique partnership that highlights the best of Napa—its high-quality culinary offerings and its steadfast commitment to support those most in need in our community. I am delighted at the opportunities and career pathways this partnership will create for our clients.”

The couple also has to juggle schedules and demands, including two children and a third on the way.

"It's a unique situation," Macaraig said.