We say goodbye to local chef and restaurateur Charlie Abowd.
We lost a local legend. Charlie Abowd — chef, restaurateur, philanthropist, and extraordinary member of the Carson City, Carson Valley, and Reno communities — passed away on Nov. 9. He was 73.
Charlie and his wife, Karen, purchased Adele’s — a beloved, landmark fine-dining restaurant and bar — in 1994, which his parents, Paul and Adele, started in Carson City in 1977. Later, they transformed it into Café at Adele’s and continued a dedication to farm-to-table dining and imbibing until closing it in 2019 due to a fire.
Charlie was a giving soul who extended a helping hand and kitchen to anyone in need. He always answered “yes” to any donation or event request.
He and Karen built a legacy of giving to the community and encouraged patrons to participate in the endeavor with events and organizations such as Cookies with Santa, Toys for Tots, Reno Rodeo Denim Drive, Northern Nevada HOPES, Paws on the Veranda, Wild Horse Rescue of Nevada, Carson High School athletics, and many more. Charlie spent years feeding the hungry on Record Street in Reno and mentoring young people and aspiring chefs coming into the industry. Once The Greenhouse Project was established, the couple’s Concert Under the Stars and Celebrity Chef and Harvest Dinner became fundraising events for the organization, which teaches agricultural education and provides fresh produce to Carson City’s food insecure. With Karen as president and co-founder, Charlie was the biggest champion rallying behind The Greenhouse Project.
Charlie received countless accolades for his career achievements, but he was most proud of the Silver Shovel Award he received at the 2020 Nevada Farms Conference for his lifetime support. He was honored to receive his highest professional career milestone in 2005, with the invitation to cook for 100 people at the James Beard House in New York City. The invitation came directly from internationally renowned chef Daniel Boulud following his impromptu visit to Adele’s. Charlie’s additional awards included 2016 Culinary Excellence Restaurateur of the Year, 2014 Nevada Family-Owned Business of the Year, Ron Wood Resource Center Community Leader of the Year, West Coast Wine Enthusiast, and multiple Wine Spectator Award of Excellence honors.
In 2023, he published a memoir/cookbook titled Recipes and Rambles That Made Adele’s a Nevada Hot Spot: Forty Years of Cuisine and History as Told by Chef Charlie Abowd.
“Charlie was one of a kind,” says Mark Estee, owner of Local Food Group, which includes seven restaurants/breweries in the region. “As a chef, he was a fierce believer in local products and pushing the envelope. I remember dining at Adele’s one evening, and the servers listing the specials was something out of a movie, so eloquent and so many! I thought, ‘I got to meet this guy.’ Charlie was a giver: to his wife, to his kids, to his friends, employees, and the entire community. We became very good friends, and we would talk about food and life. That is what I will miss the most, the lessons that he was always able to get across through food.”
He made friends easily and his loyalty ran deep, as evidenced by his many strong community ties.
“My relationship with Charlie began in 1988ish when I visited Adele’s for the very first time,” says John Procaccini, owner of Nashville Social Club in Carson City. “The impeccable service from Charlie and staff won me over forever. Once Charlie and I made the connection stronger by way of our love for music, food, and family, we became kindred spirits. He was a pillar to the community, a dear friend, and huge support to Kitty and me in opening the Nashville Social Club. He will be sorely missed!”
Longtime friend and co-author of his memoir/cookbook Karel Ancona says he was a grounding base to his family and friends.
“He was an example of love, dedication, hard work, compassion, perseverance, and individuality,” she says, “always being authentically and unapologetically, uniquely himself.”
His employees appreciated his kind, helpful nature. Steve Sanchez, formerly a sommelier at Café at Adele’s and currently a sommelier at Cucino Lupo in Carson City, is extremely thankful for their relationship.
“Charlie inspired me to never give up and always bring the best to the table,” Sanchez says.
Two of the greatest witnesses to his gracious spirit were his high school sweetheart and wife of 54 years, Karen, and daughter Racquel.
“He touched so many lives, in so many different areas, from the students he helped to chefs he mentored and all the groups he helped. He never said no; it was always yes,” Karen says. “The restaurant industry is theater and those in it are characters. They are creative spirits and challenged spirits. He helped so many over and over. His tentacles reached quite far.”
Family was his biggest joy. Charlie’s greatest love was for Karen, his three children, and his five grandchildren.
“He loved his grandkids,” Racquel says. “He followed all of their sports, attended the games. He was their greatest fan.”
Charlie was preceded in death by his parents and his sons, Paul and Eric. He is survived by Karen; Racquel and her husband, Scott Baker; son Jeremiah and wife Nicole Abowd; grandchildren Austin, Cameron, Abby, Mallory, and Ava; brother Michael and his wife, Wendy Abowd; sisters Colette Burau and Cyrina Abowd; cousin Jerry Massad and his wife Denise Clodjeaux; and a large extended family and friends who love him and whom he loved.
His legacy lives on through all those he touched. In honor of Charlie’s legacy, the family asks that he be honored by lavishing grace upon others, deeply caring about the community, and putting compassion into action, in what they are calling the #charliechallenge.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the “In Memory of Eric Abowd” Carson High School Scholarship fund through Wells Fargo Account 2004254880 or Zelle at Ericabowdscholarshipfund@yahoo.com. Or contribute to The Greenhouse Project at Carsoncitygreenhouse.org.
