Honors graduate of the California Cooking School in San Francisco and having previously trained at both Wente Vineyards in Livermore and Chez Panisse in Berkeley, Chef Charlie brings 25 years of experience to his classes. Establishing his own cooking school, Epicurean Exchange in 1999, his classes not only uniquely immerse the students in food traditions and local cuisines, but acutely focus on developing skills and techniques in the kitchen. As an advocate for sustainable lifestyles, he thoughtfully encourages seasonal produce selection in his recipes and healthy choices to develop positive habits.

While Chef Charlie’s hands-on cooking classes take place at his Orinda-based cooking school, he’s looking forward to bringing his expertise and passion for European cuisine to Castro Valley Marketplace’s Pop Out Kitchen!