Press Release
Posted:
St. Helena, CA – Sunday, Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-04) recognized Pemba Sherpa as the 2025 American Dream Award recipient for Sonoma County. Thompson presents the American Dream Award during Immigrant Heritage Month to residents of California’s Fourth District who have come to the United States and made outstanding contributions to our communities.
“Immigrants are our neighbors and colleagues, soldiers and first responders, doctors and lawyers, farmers, entrepreneurs, teachers and so much more. Our nation would not be the powerhouse of the world without their contributions to our country’s history, culture, and economy. This is evidenced by Mr. Sherpa’s work in our community.
“Mr. Sherpa has embodied the American Dream through creation of his restaurants Taste of the Himalayas and Farmhouse Sonoma, and his unwavering commitment to our community. His work has brought people together and strengthened Sonoma County. I am honored to recognize Mr. Sherpa as this year’s Sonoma County American Dream Award recipient,” said Thompson.
Mr. Sherpa was born and raised in Namche, Nepal, a small village in the Himalayas. After arriving in the United States in 1997 to pursue higher education, he earned a degree in business administration and later launched his first restaurant, Taste of the Himalayas. He is now the owner of Farmhouse Sonoma and multiple locations of Taste of the Himalayas. Over the past two decades, Mr. Sherpa has built more than a successful restaurant group — he has created an inclusive, community-centered space rooted in local sourcing, education initiatives, and public service across our community.
Mr. Sherpa is president of the Himalayan Sherpa Club and an active leader in preserving and sharing Himalayan culture. A champion of civic engagement and a familiar face at community events, he has helped raise funds and organize resources in times of need, raising funds for wildfire relief, local families in crisis and public-school initiatives. Admired for his generosity and entrepreneurship, Mr. Sherpa represents the promise and potential of the American Dream.
Congressman Mike Thompson’s American Dream Award honors immigrants who have excelled professionally in entrepreneurship and innovation, in the arts and culture, or in community service.
The full list of 2025 American Dream Award recipients for California’s Fourth District includes:
- Edgar Ontiveros – Lake County
- Cinthya Cisneros – Napa County
- Riitta DeAnda – Solano County
- Pemba Sherpa – Sonoma County
- Andres Olmedo – Yolo County