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An Evening with Chuck Williams
By Leith Steel
Photos courtesy M. Christine Torrington except where otherwise noted


Chuck Williams

In honor of the fiftieth anniversary of Williams-Sonoma, members of the SFPFS gathered at Campton Place October 26 for a special Stirring the Pot to celebrate the changes one single man has made on the culinary world. Fifty years ago, Chuck Williams fell in love with French cooking equipment and offered it for sale at his small hardware store in the town of Sonoma. The rest is history. Chuck joined us for a conversation along with baking maven and longtime customer Flo Braker and Jacqueline Mallorca, who wrote and illustrated the first ever Williams-Sonoma catalogue. SFPFS member Dianne Jacob moderated the discussion.


Flo Braker, Dianne Jacob, Chuck Williams, and Jacqueline Mallorca



Panelists Jackie Mallorca, Flo Braker, and Chuck Williams with moderator Dianne Jacob.  Photo courtesy Kelly Burgoyne

In the 1950s and 60s, when Williams first discovered French cookware, American housewives had no access to the tools, appliances, and ingredients that have become commonplace today. Cuisinarts, KitchenAid mixers, electric pasta makers, soufflé dishes, quiche pans—even such essentials as wine vinegar, olive oil, and fine mustards—were unheard of before Williams began marketing and selling them

.
An appreciative audience


Jackie Mallorca and Flo Braker

In addition to making equipment available to home cooks, Williams helped introduce Americans to cooking itself through hosting cookbook authors and book signings, and by sponsoring classes. He and Julia Child developed a symbiotic relationship, his phone ringing off the hook with requests every time she introduced a new a dish, tool, or ingredient on TV.


Elegant hors d'oeuvres


Executive Chef Peter Rudolph with Jackie Mallorca

The admiration that the audience and his co-panelists held for Williams was palpable. He clearly loves his work and the SFPFS certainly loved having him. The program was followed by a selection of delicious appetizers prepared by Executive Chef Peter Rudolph of Campton Place and wines provided by LaRochelle Winery and Groth Vineyards and Winery.

For more information, see:
Amy Sherman's Blog Article


To view additional photos of the event, click here.  Click on the top-right logo for "collages.net: view event" and select "2006-47 SFPFS Cul Legacies" from the list of events.  The password is "13700"

Leah Garchick's writeup in the Chronicle: (scroll down on linked page to see excerpt)

More photos of the event courtesy Kelly Burgoyne


SFPFS President Jennie Schacht introduces the panel


Laura Martin Bacon, John Carroll, and Don Bacon


Patsy Barich and Maurine Killough greet members and guests


Betty Teller, Mary Margaret Pack, and Pam Elder share a laugh


Marcia Gagliardi and Roberta Klugman


Flo plants a peck on Chuck's cheek


 

 
List of Recent Events

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