About Us
Our Chefs and Staff
Special Events and Catering
Special Events and Catering
With over 30 years of experience cooking in the finest restaurants, our team of chefs are excited to present their vision to you and all our guests. Our caring and committed staff will ensure you have a fantastic experience with us.
Special Events and Catering
Special Events and Catering
Special Events and Catering
Our restaurant is available for private events: weddings, business lunches, dinners, cocktail receptions, and more. We would love to discuss how to be a part of your next event.
Seasonal and Local
Special Events and Catering
Seasonal and Local
We will offer seasonal menu to celebrate the best food of the time of the year and Chinese traditions. We source as much as possible from local produce.
MEET Our Executive Team
Margaret Wong
Owner - Empress M Restaurant / Empress Court Vineyards
About Margaret
Margaret is a true model of success, and demonstrates the benefits that come from hard work and determination. Self-described as “born with nothing” and fighting her way throughout life, to now be honored to be called “Empress” by her peers, colleagues and admirers today. Her story reminds her about China Empress Wu ZeTian, the only Empress in China, who had gone through three stages of her life from a concubine, to wife of Emperor, to ultimately becoming the only Empress of China, ruling during the Tang Dynasty for 35 years. Appropriately named, Margaret’s “Empress M” Napa restaurant will give her another chance to give back to the community and state she loves, through food, history and shared culture!
Margaret is a highly entrepreneurial executive with her career focus on global trade and US China relationships, her unique knowledge and network are unprecedent. Through her businesses, Margaret had earned numerous awards including “US President Export Award”, “Exporter of the Year Award” from US Department of Commerce Minority Business Development Agency; SBA “Export and Champion of the Year” Awards. Margaret has travelled to China with many US official delegations including US Secretary of Commerce Pritzker and three California Governor Pete Wilson, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and Governor Jerry Brown; her contributions not only include significant business development but also executed a number of meaningful and sustainable exchanges involving culinary, education and historical programs. Margaret is determined to put Napa in her global roadmap by bringing in authentic Chinese Cuisine with culinary education in mind.”
Peter Huang
Executive Chef
About Peter
Peter Huang is a successful restauranteur in Sacramento. He is the founder and owner of Yue Huang Dim Sum Restaurant, one of best Chinese restaurants in the region. Previously, Peter owned several successful restaurants including Tasty Kitchen.
Peter has received many awards including the Best Dim Sum by
The Sac Bee and A List by City Voter, the Top 1 Cantonese Cuisine Restaurant among 381 participating restaurants by Asian Star TV.
Peter is an innovative chef. He participated in the Worlds of Flavors conference hosted by the Culinary Institute of America and featured a dozen of celebrity chefs from China to exchange menu designs and culinary techniques.
Thomas Megna
Director of Operations and Business Development
About Thomas
Thomas comes from a family of Culinary specialists and Creative leaders. Throughout his career, Mr Megna has had a passion for creating world class guest experiences. He started his path in the performing arts as a designer and technical director. After 7 years of teaching at the college level (CalArts) and producing over 100 theatrical shows Thomas traveled to Japan to begin a new career path in Themed Entertainment (Also serving as President of Themed Entertainment Association, Asia Board). Over the last 25 years he led design and production of Attractions and Venues for the most highly regarded clients in the world. His clients have included Disney, Universal Studios, Sanrio, Sega, Wanda, Raffles, Sands Casino.
Thomas now returns to Napa after six years living and working in China to lead the development of the Empress M property. His family connections run deep in Napa and that combined with his culinary background and deep understanding of the Chinese Culture are a winning combination for success.
Lei E
Director of Culinary Concepts
About Lei
Lei E comes to Empress M as a Director of California Center overseeing agriculture, food, beverage, and related educational and business projects. He represents Culinary Institute of America in China, having worked with chefs, F&B industry leaders, researchers, and educators for a number of years. Lei also helps manage Empress Court vineyard and winemaking in Napa. He also represents acclaimed Chinese clients on: wine, Chinese sorghum spirits, and whiskey making and international promotion efforts.
Lei serves as an advisor to California Institute of Food and Agricultural Research (CIFAR, www.cifar.ucdavis.edu) at University of California at Davis (UC Davis). He represents CIFAR in China to grow a global network on food and agricultural research and industry. Lei helps organize and host US-China International Fermented Foods and Beverages Conference at UC Davis for the past 4 years. Lei’s vast culinary and agriculture skillsets make him a proven leader.
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