the girl, fig, and a $50k donation

In celebration of its 25th anniversary this month, the girl & the fig has donated $50,000 to enhance children’s culinary programming at Sonoma Community Center. 

The Center’s Community Kitchen uses hands-on culinary instruction to share the cuisine and from around the world.

The donation will allow the Center’s Community Kitchen program to expand program capacity on a year-round basis. 

To-date in 2022, the program has hosted more than 75 children in age groups ranging from kindergarten to fifth grade. The 45-minute after school classes are themed around different cultures, countries and celebrations.

Founded in 1997, the girl & the fig has made its mark in wine country and nationally for its culinary, beverage and retail offerings. To pay homage to the customers, chefs and dishes that contributed to the girl & the fig’s evolution, the restaurant has hosted several celebratory themed dinners this year, highlighting favorite menus and dishes from the past quarter-century.

“Twenty-five years ago, I wouldn’t have imagined that the girl & the fig would become the culinary brand it is today,” said Bernstein. “I’m grateful for all of the people who have supported our mission to not only serve French food with a passion, but care for our community through experiences that make a difference, and I’m excited to give back to that community through this partnership.”

Upcoming classes include several surrounding Hispanic Heritage Month in September, with cuisine from countries including Mexico and Chile.

“Sondra and the girl and the fig are such assets not only to our program, but to our whole community,” said Elise Gonzales-Sahota, culinary director of the Sonoma Community Center. “Among other things, this incredibly generous donation will contribute to our new sliding scale class model, which will lower financial access barriers for our After School Culinary and Arts Program, and allow so many more students to participate.” 

Serving country food with a French passion for 25 years, the girl & the fig has become a wine country dining destination on the Sonoma Plaza. The renowned rustic bistro  serves innovative seasonal Provencal-inspired cuisine and offers a unique award-winning wine list focused on Rhône varietals, harvested in California and abroad. 

Bernstein has grown the girl & the fig brand to include the fig café nearby Glen Ellen the Suite D event space, the girl & the fig CATERS! and a gourmet figFOOD product line, available online and in stores nationwide. 

She will co-host a French-themed class for kids on Wednesday, November 9, in the Center’s Community Kitchen.