The Sonoma Table

Dame Cristina Topham knows a thing or two about the exhausting work that goes into making dreams come true. From her culinary launch in 1999 from New York City’s French Culinary Institute, through some of the world’s finest kitchens, into catering and as a private chef in the superyacht industry; it’s been quite the journey for Sonoma’s celebrated Lebanese chef with the California touch. Chef Cristina holds court from her first brick & mortar location, Spread Kitchen, and offers nourishment, body and soul.

Cristina’s journey began in 1999 when she graduated from The French Culinary Institute in New York City, making a bold move by leaving her Wall Street tech job behind to pursue her culinary dreams. Her early years in the culinary world saw her refining her skills at prestigious establishments such as Les Olivades in Paris, The Savoy in New York City, and Julia’s Kitchen in Napa. These experiences set the stage for her future culinary adventures.

After gaining valuable experience in some of the world’s finest kitchens, Cristina’s entrepreneurial spirit led her to start a boutique catering company in Brooklyn, New York. Her catering venture quickly gained recognition, and she became the premier caterer for Morrell Wines. This role allowed her to combine her culinary expertise with her burgeoning interest in wine, crafting customized wine-pairing dinners and tasting events.

While Cristina had established herself as a notable chef in New York, the lure of warmer weather and new experiences beckoned. In 2006, she took a bold leap by leaving the city that never sleeps to become a chef in the superyacht industry. Her life took on the flavor of adventure as she cooked in exotic locations all over the world, including the Caribbean, Mediterranean, and Mexico. Her travels were marked by weekly challenges, from navigating foreign markets to bargaining with locals for fresh ingredients. Along the way, Cristina had the opportunity to collaborate with experienced professionals and local cooks, absorbing new flavors and culinary traditions in each country she visited.

But the call of her Bay Area roots eventually brought her back home to Northern California in 2014, with Sonoma becoming her new base. Her commitment to fresh, healthy, and inspired cooking led her to introduce a range of options, catering to various dietary preferences, including omnivores, vegans, vegetarians, and those on a gluten-free diet.

The challenges brought by the pandemic in 2020 inspired Cristina to pivot her business model. She transitioned Spread away from full-service catering, focusing on offering meal kits, prepared food, and drop-off catering, adapting to the changing times while maintaining her commitment to quality and culinary excellence.

In 2021, she expanded her presence by participating in the Sonoma and Napa Farmers Markets, engaging directly with the local community. Finally, in May 2022, Cristina realized a long-held dream by opening her first brick-and-mortar restaurant, Spread Kitchen, in Sonoma. Cristina’s culinary style is a beautiful fusion of inspired Lebanese cooking with a Californian touch. Her menus are designed to change with the seasons, and she prioritizes sourcing ingredients as locally as possible, working with farms and producers throughout the Bay Area. Above all, respect is the cornerstone of her culinary philosophy—respect for the ingredients she uses, her customers, and the people she collaborates with. Every dish that leaves her kitchen is a labor of love, made entirely by hand from scratch.

No stranger to the spotlight, Cristina’s been highlighted in multiple publications over the years. It’s natural that her Spread Kitchen made quite the splash, starting with features in Sonoma Magazine, and every local newspaper. Word got out and Eater recognized Spread Kitchen as one of their top restaurants to visit in Sonoma earlier this year. Her efforts at Spread Kitchen were recognized by the Sonoma Valley People’s Choice Awards 2023 as the Best Vegetarian/Organic Meal in the Valley.

As a third-generation Lebanese chef, she’s bringing her love for Lebanese cuisine and a taste of the Mediterranean to the Sonoma Valley community. You’ve likely enjoyed the dappled sunlight of her patio or pondered the joyous flavors of her cooking at our events. Her dedication to quality and the art of cooking shines through in every dish, making her a cherished figure in the culinary world and Sonoma Valley.

As a Dame, Cristina recruits incredible nominees for our ranks (the author of this piece included) and thrives among the thought leaders and innovators of the culinary community. From Cristina, “I love being a Dame because it gives me the opportunity to give back in a meaningful way to an industry that has given me so much. I appreciate the camaraderie and value the meeting and connecting with so many amazing women leaders in the industry.”

Thank you so much Cristina for all your contributions and joining us on this spectacular journey!

—Written by Dame Maisie Lyman