Celebrated chef and acclaimed hospitality entrepreneur Charlie Palmer has built and developed a hospitality group of thirteen notable restaurants and three award-winning boutique hotels across the country. He started his career at Sherburne-Earlville High School, under the guidance of neighbor and home economics teacher Sharon Craine, who pushed him to develop his skills and pursue a culinary education. While learning technique in the kitchen, Palmer embraced teamwork on the mat, wrestling on the school team under the tutelage of esteemed Hall of Fame coach, Richard "Pete" Hausrath. Charlie hailed from the village of Smyrna, New York, which had produced two New York State Wrestling Champions (Rich Koenig - 1965 and Jerry Seifert - 1969) Though Charlie was very active in several sports, he excelled in wrestling, highlighted by his defeat of the defending "super heavyweight" champion from Sidney, propelling Sherburne-Earlville to a 1-point victory and the Susquenango League's crown. Palmer's work with Coach Hausrath developed his natural work ethic, later driving him to grow his national organization, as well as focus on the development of this next generation of chefs, just as he was mentored within his team and school. After his time at Sherburne-Earlville, Charlie attended the prestigious Culinary Institute of America, which he has continued to support, including a time on their board of trustees and tenure as the chairman. He moved to New York City following his graduation where he earned three stars from the New York Times at the age of 23 while Executive Chef at The River Cafe. Shortly thereafter, he opened his first restaurant, Aureole, his organization's flagship which is now entering its 29th year and inspired a sister location in Las Vegas, now in its 18th year. Other openings including Charlie Palmer Steak in Washington DC, Las Vegas, New York, and Reno grew the Charlie Palmer Group in subsequent years, with a new location in Napa forthcoming later this year. He has boutique hotels in San Francisco (Mystic Hotel, which also houses Burritt Room + Tavern) and in Wine Country: Harvest Inn by Charlie Palmer with restaurant Harvest Table, and Hotel Healdsburg, which is home to the critically-acclaimed restaurant Dry Creek Kitchen. In addition to other properties in New York, Upper Story by Charlie Palmer, Crimson & Rye, and Charlie Palmer at the Knick, Charlie has grown a distinctive portfolio of fine dining establishments that prioritize exceptional American fare and sincere hospitality.