[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 71 (Tuesday, April 29, 2025)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E358]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 HONORING GREG COLE AND BETH FAIRBAIRN

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MIKE THOMPSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 29, 2025

  Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Greg 
Cole and Beth Fairbairn, a husband-and-wife team who have played a 
critical role in shaping our Napa Valley restaurant scene. As the 
founders of the iconic Cole's Chop House, which celebrates its 25th 
anniversary this year, they have helped define fine dining in our 
region while making significant contributions to our community.
  Mr. Cole, a Los Angeles native, graduated from the Culinary Institute 
of America at Hyde Park in 1983. He began his career working at Jack in 
the Box and Carl's Jr. in Agoura Hills before moving to Napa Valley in 
1985 to work for Chef Philippe Jeanty at the Domaine Chandon 
restaurant. His passion for food and wine led him to later work at 
Robert Sinskey Vineyards, where he gained experience in winemaking and 
wine promotion. He then traveled the country hosting food and wine 
pairing events, further developing his expertise. Mr. Cole has also 
hosted Today in the Wine Country on Napa's KVON 1440AM, covering food 
and wine trends, and was named ``Best Local Chef'' by KVON's Best of 
Napa and Sonoma Valley awards. He has appeared as a guest chef on Karen 
MacNeil's PBS series Wine, Food, and Friends.
  Ms. Fairbairn, originally from Springfield, Missouri, is a graduate 
of St. Mary's College in Moraga and a registered nurse. She began her 
career at Sonoma Valley Hospital and Queen of the Valley Hospital 
before transitioning into private cardiology practice in Napa. In 
addition to her work in healthcare, she has been an active classroom 
volunteer and reading tutor.
  In 1996, Mr. Cole and Ms. Fairbairn co-founded Celadon, one of Napa's 
first fine dining restaurants, bringing Chef Cole's ``Global Comfort 
Food'' concept to the city. The restaurant quickly gained national 
recognition, earning a three-star rating from the San Francisco 
Examiner and a four-star rating from the Santa Rosa Press Democrat. In 
2000, USA TODAY named Celadon one of the ``Ten Great Places to Dine at 
the Bar''. While the couple operated Celadon, the Wine Spectator 
awarded Celadon's wine program the ``Award of Excellence'' for multiple 
years. In 2002, Celadon moved to the Historic Napa Mill, further 
cementing its place as a cornerstone of Napa's culinary scene.
  Building on that success, Mr. Cole and Ms. Fairbairn opened Cole's 
Chop House in 2000, creating a steakhouse known for high-quality food 
and a top-tier wine program. The restaurant quickly became a local 
institution, earning Wine Spectator's ``Award of Excellence'' and Wine 
Enthusiast Magazine's ``Award of Unique Distinction.'' It has been 
named San Francisco's top-rated steakhouse in the Zagat Survey and 
recognized as one of the ``Top Five Steakhouses'' in San Francisco 
Chronicle Magazine. Cole's Chop House has also been featured in 
Gourmet, Food Arts, Bon Appetit, and Sunset Magazine.
  Mr. Cole and Ms. Fairbairn have demonstrated an unwavering commitment 
to their community. Through their restaurants, they have supported 
numerous charitable organizations, including the American Red Cross, 
Jewish Home of San Francisco, American Cancer Society, Queen of the 
Valley Hospital, Community Health Clinic Ole. Children's Hospital 
Oakland, Boys & Girls Club, and many local public and private schools. 
In recognition of their impact, the Napa Chamber of Commerce named 
Celadon and Cole's Chop House its 2005 Business of the Year.
  In 2015 and 2016, Mr. Cole and Ms. Fairbairn sold Celadon to their 
general manager, Joel Tavizon, and Cole's Chop House to longtime 
employee Eric Keffer, allowing the couple to invest more time into 
giving back to our community and to pursue other ventures. The couple 
currently resides in Napa and are devoted parents to Larsen and Sophia 
Cole, and loving grandparents to Abraham Cole Fishman.
  Mr. Speaker, Greg Cole and Beth Fairbairn exemplify the values of 
leadership, generosity, and service. Their legacy in Napa's culinary 
world and their steadfast commitment to their community have left a 
lasting impact. As we celebrate the 25th anniversary of Cole's Chop 
House, it is fitting and proper that we recognize their remarkable 
contributions here today.

                          ____________________