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ABOUT CHUCK
 In 1956, Chuck Williams opened a
hardware store in downtown Sonoma, California with the intention of converting it into a store specializing in
French cookware. Within two years the shovels and electrical tape had been replaced with copper pans and chef's
knives, and the first Williams-Sonoma store was born. Chuck was introduced to classic, quality French cooking
equipment, including unique items like omelet pans and soufflé molds, on his annual trip to France. Soon
Williams-Sonoma became the country's first comprehensive French cooking and serving equipment center.
He moved his store to Sutter Street in San Francisco in 1958. With the continuing growth of the business, he
put together the first catalog, which was mailed to 5,000 homes in 1971. In 1973, a second store was opened
in Beverly Hills . Today the company operates over 250 Williams-Sonoma stores across the U.S. and Canada.
Chuck is an integral part of many aspects of the business, from finding unique kitchenware and food items, to
providing advice for catalog production and photography. He has been involved with the publication of over 100
Williams-Sonoma cookbooks, acting as the General Editor for the Williams-Sonoma Kitchen Library series, the New
American Cooking series, the Savoring series and the newly released Mastering series. Chuck has always embraced
the ideals of quality merchandise and outstanding customer service. This and his impeccable taste have set the
tone of Williams-Sonoma since its inception.
In 1994, the James Beard Foundation named him to the "Who's Who of Food and Beverage". He served on the Board of
the American Institute of Wine and Food, the Board of the Culinary Institute of America (CIA) and has contributed
a personal collection of cooking artifacts to the West Coast branch of the CIA at Greystone in St. Helena. Chuck
has always been interested in encouraging those who choose a vocation in the culinary arts and has made numerous
scholarships available through the CIA and other organizations. In the fall of 2002, Chuck was inducted into the
CIA's Hall of Fame. In May of 1995, Chuck was awarded the highest recognition given by the James Beard Foundation,
"The Lifetime Achievement Award." Bon Appetit magazine named Chuck the "Tastemaker of the Year" for 1999, he was
awarded the "2001 Lifetime Achievement Award" by the International Association of Culinary Professionals, and in
the January of 2003 he was recognized by the Housewares Foundation as "Humanitarian of the Year." On July 12, 2003,
Chuck was the guest of honor at The James Beard Foundation's annual Chefs & Champagne benefit in Sagaponack, New York.
On May 11, 2006, Chuck was honored as a Visionary Retailer at the seventh annual Giants of Design Awards presented
by House Beautiful in New York City. Standing alongside Chuck were Frank Gehry (Architecture), Vera Wang (Tastemaker),
Julius Shulman (Photography) and Bunny Williams (Interior Design).
"I was surprised and very honored to have won this award," Chuck said after returning to the office. "It was an
amazing night with about 700 people in the audience and quite a delightful meal. I had never met any of the people
that were honored, but I know about the work that they've done and it was a pleasure to be included in their company."
In January 2007, Chuck and Howard received the Inc. Magazine Bernard A. Goldhirsh Lifetime Achievement Award, an
acknowledgement to those who honor the values and virtues of American entrepreneurship.
2007 CeCNC Direct Marketer of the Year
2006 CeCNC Direct Marketer of the Year
2005 CeCNC Direct Marketer of the Year
2004 CeCNC Direct Marketer of the Year
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