Gillwoods Cafe
About us
Gillwoods Cafe was created in May 1991 by Ed Gill & Gary Woods. During the 22 years that Gary & Ed operated Gillwoods Cafe, they created a home for locals & a destination point for tourists.
Gillwoods Cafe is committed to serving delicious, honest food. Rest assured that we will continue the tradition of classic home-style dishes made with the freshest ingredients available.
When they were ready to retire in July 2013, Ed & Gary sold Gillwoods to Debbie & Jennifer Fradelizio. This mother-daughter duo had already been part of the Saint Helena community for many years, running another restaurant in town. They were ready to continue Ed's & Gary legacy.
After 11 years, Debbie & Jennifer were ready to sell and found Julio Sarabia & Arely Guzman, friend & colleague duo. They both worked at Gott's Roadside for 10+ years. They know the Saint Helena community very well & officially took over in March 2024. Their goal is to continue the vision Ed & Gary started & add their own special touch. They want to continue to serve the locals that have been loyal for many years and become family, but also want to add exciting new options for tourists and locals alike. They believe that food is more than just nourishment, it's a way to bring people together & create memories.
Meet the Staff
Front of House
We are immensely proud of our team members who go above and beyond to provide exceptional service to our guests. Their warm hospitality, attention to detail and deep understanding of our offerings have made dining with us a memorable experience. Many of our team members have been with us for years, bringing not just experience but also a genuine passion for creating a welcoming atmosphere. Their long tenure reflects their dedication and the strong bonds they've formed with the St. Helena community and visitors from all around the world.
Owner/Manager
Julio Sarabia
Originally from Orange County, Julio worked practically every position to be had in restaurants since the age of 16. He moved to the Napa Valley in 2011, where he eventually found Gott’s Roadside. He spent his tenure as the General Manager of this gourmet staple in Saint Helena. With aspirations to own his own restaurant, he jumped at the opportunity to takeover a well established breakfast joint that the locals loved with long time friend Arely Guzman.
Julio, a father of five children, is very involved with his community. For the past 13 years he has resided in Calistoga where he has found joy in coaching football, basketball & baseball.
His most recent endeavor has been maintaining the 33 year reputation of Gillwoods while still thriving to elevate both service and the quality of the dishes.
Barista/Server
Victoria
Victoria has been with Gillwoods since May of 2012. She began in our (now closed) Napa location, and moved to our St. Helena location in 2013. She enjoys making connections with our guests and hearing their stories.
Server
Xochil
Xochil has been with Gillwoods since September of 1991. She started as a Busser/Prep, and became a server a year later. She is cherished by locals who have been loyal to Gillwoods since the beginning.
Server
Patricia
Trish has been with Gillwoods since August of 2004. She began in our (now closed) Napa location as a barista, and moved to our St. Helena location in 2005 as a server. Trish loves connecting with our guests, and appreciates the tight-knit community we have in St. Helena.
Busser
Gustavo
Gustavo, aka Mr. Tequila, has been with Gillwoods since June of 2003. He began as a Dishwasher and is now a Busser. During his long tenure, he has been able to see regulars grow up and start families of their own - that is his favorite part.
Busser
Jose
Jose has been with Gillwoods since 2017. Jose loves working with the Gillwoods staff, and feels as though they are family.
Server
Cynthia
Cindy has been with Gillwoods since July of 2007. Cindy enjoys meeting great customers who become family, and loves to see tourists return more than once!
Head Chef
Ivan
Ivan's culinary career started 19 years ago, beginning at Brannan's Grill in Calistoga. Ivan served a 16 year tenure at Solage, Auberge Resorts Collection, being a Sous Chef for 13 years. He is a husband, and father of two. Julio and Arely worked alongside Ivan at their previous job.
Front of House
David
David has been part of our team for one year and enjoys being part of a team that works well together. Outside of work, he loves riding motorcycles and staying active through sports.
Front of House
America
America has been part of our team for five months and loves being surrounded by such a friendly and welcoming staff. She recently graduated and is excited to continue growing and gaining new experiences with our team.
Front of House
Maria Osorio
Maria has been part of our team since 2024 and has become a valued part of our restaurant family. Her dedication and positive presence help make every day a little better for both our guests and our team.
Baker
Fabiola Perez
Fabiola has been part of our team since 2024 and has been an important part of our kitchen for the past two years. Her hard work, dedication, and passion for baking help bring something special to our guests every day.
