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est. 2007

  1. Shopping Guide: Chuck Williams’ Discoveries You Need In Your Kitchen

    "If you love what you do, then the world will fall in love with you" - Chuck Williams, founder of Williams-Sonoma. Over the weekend, Williams-Sonoma stores around the world held celebrations for their founder, Chuck Williams' 100th birthday. Chuck is perhaps one of the world's most influential buyers, transforming the domestic lives of Americans - and their kitchens - since opening his first store in Sonoma, California in 1956.
    Williams-Sonoma founder Chuck Williams in his Sonoma hardware store, which he transformed into the first Williams-Sonoma cookware store in 1956. Photo courtesy of Williams-Sonoma.

    Williams-Sonoma founder Chuck Williams in his Sonoma hardware store, which he transformed into the first Williams-Sonoma cookware store in 1956. Photo courtesy of Williams-Sonoma.

    Chuck embarked on buying trips to France in the 1950s, discovering all manner of traditional French cooking brands and dinnerware that was previously unknown to the average American home cook. He brought them back to his shop in Sonoma, introducing his customers to brands such as Le Creuset, Mauveil and Apilco. By the early 1960s, at a time when Julia Childs started teaching Americans how to cook French food, Williams' European cookware became more covetable and relevant than ever. And he's never looked back. To celebrate Chuck's 100th birthday, we've rounded up Chuck's top 10 discoveries that have transformed the way we cook - and are today's home kitchen must-haves. One for every decade he's lived. Happy 100th birthday, Chuck.

    1. Mauveil copper cookware

    Mauveil > Copper cookware was the choice of professional cooks for its even conductivity and high temperature sensitivity. Chuck made it accessible to home cooks in the 1970s. Copper cookware was the choice of professional cooks for its even conductivity and high temperature sensitivity. Chuck made it accessible to home cooks by introducing iconic French brand Mauveil into his stores in the 1970s. Shop for Mauveil cookware here.

    2. Le Creuset

    Le Creuset > When Chuck Williams first discovered Le Creuset in France, it came in only one colour - a reddish orange called "flame." He bought it directly from the factory and introduced it to the United States. When Chuck Williams first discovered Le Creuset in France, it came in only one colour - a reddish orange called "flame." He bought it directly from the factory and introduced it to the United States. Shop for Le Creuset here.

    3. Apilco

    Chuck Williams began importing porcelain from French brand Apilco in the 1950s. He liked the clean, classic look and white finish that allowed the food to be centre stage. Chuck Williams began importing porcelain from French brand Apilco in the 1950s. He liked the clean, classic look and white finish that allowed the food to be centre stage. The porcelain cow milk jug is the cult piece - and it's currently on sale for $24. Shop for Apilco here.

    4. All-Clad cookware

    All-Clad's bonded metal construction was a completely new concept for cookware when Chuck Williams found the brand in the 1970s. The original aluminium core offered rapid heat absorption, but with a stainless-steel interior that home cooks loved. All-Clad's bonded metal construction was a completely new concept for cookware when Chuck Williams found the brand in the 1970s. The original aluminium core offered rapid heat absorption, but with a stainless-steel interior that home cooks loved. Shop for All-Clad here.

    5. Kitchenaid

    Originally this powerful mixer was sold only to restaurants and commercial food companies, but Chuck thought home cooks would want this mixer as well. Although it was initially sold only in white, Chuck encouraged Kitchenaid to offer colours. Originally this powerful mixer was sold only to restaurants and commercial food companies, but Chuck thought home cooks would want this mixer as well. Although it was initially sold only in white, Chuck encouraged Kitchenaid to offer colours. Shop for Kitchenaid here.

    6. Bundt® Cake Pan

    The original Bundt cake pan was made by Nordic Ware in the early 50s. We popularised the pans by featuring them in our US catalogue, beginning in 1980. The original Bundt cake pan was made by Nordic Ware in the early 50s. Williams-Sonoma popularised the pans by featuring them in their US catalogue, beginning in 1980. Shop for cake pans here.

    7. Pillivuyt porcelain cookware and dinnerware

    On a buying trip to Europe, Chuck was introduced to Pillivuyt, maker of delicate porcelain cookware and servingware. Chuck placed the initial order in 1959, and we've carried Pillivuyt ever since. On a buying trip to Europe, Chuck was introduced to Pillivuyt, maker of delicate porcelain cookware and servingware. Chuck placed the initial order in 1959, and Williams-Sonoma has carried Pillivuyt ever since. Shop for Pillivuyt here.

    8. Mandolines

    Around 1963, Chuck brought this first professional-grade mandoline into the San Francisco store. Over the years we've expanded our range to include lighter-weight models. Around 1963, Chuck brought this first professional-grade mandoline into the San Francisco store. Over the years Williams-Sonoma expanded their range to include lighter-weight models. Shop for mandolines here.

    9. Waffle Makers

    Chuck began selling waffle makers in 1981, after tasting his first Belgian waffle at the 1964 World's Fair in New York. Chuck began selling waffle makers in 1981, after tasting his first Belgian waffle at the 1964 World's Fair in New York. Shop for waffle makers here.

    10. Picardie Glassware

    Picardie Glassware These durable Picardie glasses, used in France for both wine and water, were brought to America by Williams-Sonoma in 1961. They became the classic everyday glass in many American homes. Shop for Picardie here. Tell me: do you have any of Chuck's top 10 discoveries in your kitchen? Whats' your favourite - or most covetable (I need to stock up on Picardie tumblers, and I covet a Kitchenaid mixer!) Want more good stuff we've curated? Check out all of our shopping guides here. All images and information courtesy of Williams-Sonoma.
    Posted at 10:33 am in Homewares
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