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In 1956, Chuck Williams purchased 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 chefs' knives, and the first Williams-Sonoma store was born. Mr. Williams 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 retailer to carry a collection of French cookware.
He moved his store to San Francisco's Sutter Street in 1958. With the continuing growth of the business, he created its 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.
Mr. Williams 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 200 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 Mastering series. He has always embraced the ideals of quality merchandise and outstanding customer service. These ideals and his impeccable taste have set the tone of Williams-Sonoma since its inception.
Mr. Williams 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. He 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 2002, he was inducted into the CIA's Hall of Fame.
In 1994, the James Beard Foundation named Mr. Williams to the Who's Who of Food and Beverage and in 1995, awarded him with their highest honor, The Lifetime Achievement Award. Bon Appetit magazine named him the Tastemaker of the Year for 1999, he was awarded the 2001 Lifetime Achievement Award by the International Association of Culinary Professionals, and in 2003, he was recognized by the Housewares Foundation as Humanitarian of the Year. Also in 2003, he was the guest of honor at The James Beard Foundation's annual Chefs & Champagne benefit in Sagaponack, New York. In 2006, he was honored as a Visionary Retailer at the seventh annual Giants of Design Awards presented by House Beautiful in New York City.
In 2007, Mr. Williams and Howard Lester, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Williams-Sonoma, Inc., received the Inc Magazine Bernard A. Goldhirsh Lifetime Achievement Award, an acknowledgement to those who honor the values and virtues of American entrepreneurship. | 