About Us
Born in Northern Italy, Stella Rosa Carassali and Natale Bondio Carassali married and sought new lives in a new world when they journeyed to America and then to Petaluma, California. They brought their Italian heritage and culinary traditions to the new world, and filled their tables with delicacies and family. Those roots grew and from them came Natale (named after her grandfather) and Amy the creators of Stella’s Table.
Born into their Italian family and inspired by their Nonna and Nonno (grandmother and grandfather), Natale and Amy strive to bring you those familiar and delicious traditions while infusing their American influences into their creations. What began at Stella's table many, many years ago is now available at yours.
THE TRADITION SHARED
Stella Rosa Carassali stood as an obvious symbol for our adventure into our boutique of foods that stemmed from our family traditions. The traditions and memories, the laughter and tears, all began and ended at the table. No matter the celebration, they gathered around the table with family and friends and partook in delicious food, drank good wine and made an everlasting impact on their friends and family.
OUR MISSION
We create Italian-inspired food made with quality ingredients that feed the soul as well as the body.
We strive to offer products that encourage people to gather at a beautiful table to savor rare moments of connection to family and friends.
We believe that everyone can inspire traditions with simple homemade or handcrafted products that lead to long-lasting memories.
We will carry this tradition forward into our generation and to share it with those around us.
Stella’s Table always welcomes you to pull up a chair at their NEXT LEVEL PANTRY!
Our philosophy is all about the simple things in life that we often overlook in this day and age…
OUR PHILOSOPHY
Gather at a beautiful table to savor rare moments of connection to family and friends. Inspire traditions with simple, delicious, homemade or handcrafted products that lead to long-lasting memories.
Take note of where you live by delving into the flavors of each season. Be grateful for each seat taken at your table and enjoy the traditions you create. Make it your legacy to those who know you.
Invite people over for dinner. Let your guests help with the dishes. Try new things and don’t apologize for them. Cut fresh flowers for your table. Teach your kids to cook and then let them cook.
Serve wine with meals ALWAYS. Put a big bowl of fruit out for your guests after dinner whether serving dessert or not. If you forget to tell your husband you’re having people over, he will forgive you, so don’t let it stop you.
Cheese is the best appetizer ever no matter what anyone tells you. Eat cheese, all kinds of cheese. Use real butter and savor it.
Don’t let a messy house prevent you from having friends over - they will like you more for it and will be more likely to invite you to their messy house. Don’t talk about calories - it’s boring.
Traditions are not contrived, but created in the moment, usually around a table. Pick your lemons and give them to friends. Travel and make your kids travel. Boys, like dogs, need to be run.
Salt your pasta water so it tastes like the sea. Remember that rice is born in water but should die in wine (Il riso si nasce in acqua ma si muore in vino). Take advantage of the seasons.
If you cook, you shouldn’t have to clean. Dinner is always best served with friends. Tell stories and listen to stories from or about your grandparents. Create your family’s oral history around the table with good food.
Laugh. Laugh. Laugh. Giggle at a random burp at the table. Clear your plate. Kids, ask to be excused from the table. Make homemade lattes and dip delicious biscotti in them. Get a rumba.
Don’t clear the table too soon - enjoy the conversation. Snort when you laugh! Leave the dishes for tomorrow. Try new recipes. Eat marshmallows. Mistakes can lead to new recipes.
The only apples for a pie are Gravenstein. Use fresh herbs. Learn how to make gnocchi and ravioli during your lifetime. Don’t complain about the price, appreciate the flavor.
Find a way to get on Zia Nana’s SnapChats for daily laughs. Speak Italian. Try Smores with Reese's Peanut Butter Cups.
Mangia! Mangia!
OWNERS
AMY SCHWAPPACH
Amy is one of Stella Rosa Carassali’s many grandchildren. Amy has cultivated her passion for food over the years through her experiences in her grandmother and mother’s kitchens as well as studying and living in Italy over the course of her life as a young child and then later as an adult. She never passed up an opportunity to learn a new specialty and has translated that into a passion for cooking and creating today. She lives in Petaluma with her husband Jim, her three children Stella, Joe and Emma, her cat Smudge, her dogs Maisy and Fergus, and her seasonal garden that inspires her daily.
NATALE DOUGHERTY
Natale is the first of Stella Rosa Carassali’s grandchildren. Natale has refined her passion for handcrafted goods over the years through her experiences with her grandmother and mother. From an early age, she helped with the sewing of quilts and began an exploration into sewing, knitting and stitching. Her numerous adventures to Italy and visiting her relatives led to a keen eye for beautifully handcrafted items with a nudge to tradition and simplicity and a flair to beauty. Natale lives in Petaluma on the family property with her dog Koa, her cat Blu and the stupendous garden that Stella Rosa Carassali began. Natale is a wonderful Aunt to ten nieces and nephews.