iStock/Thinkstock(NEW YORK) — Chuck Williams, the founder of Williams-Sonoma, died Saturday at the age of 100 due to natural causes, according to the company.
The cooking enthusiast bought his first store in Sonoma, California in 1956, originally selling hardware and eventually specializing in French cookware after a trip to Europe inspired him to sell high-end kitchen items for Americans to buy.
In 1958 he opened the first Williams-Sonoma in San Francisco’s Union Square and in the 1970’s, started a mail-order service.
Williams is credited with introducing French cookware to the U.S. as famed TV chef Julia Child was teaching Americans how to cook French.
The announcement of William’s passing was posted in a video on the Williams-Sonoma website, featuring key members of the company sharing thoughts about the founder.
In 2013, Williams-Sonoma opened its first cooking schools in Sydney, San Francisco, and Chicago, promoting Williams’ mission to “teach home cooks how to master culinary techniques.”
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