About Ginna Gordon
Gourmet Chef Ginna Gordon &
Charles Gruwell have been lifelong friends
Charles & Ginna, lifelong friends, have come together to merge his stylish interiors with her culinary arts. The goal of their collaboration is to create an artistic and inclusive Bed & Breakfast experience like no other.
At The Charles, breakfast is more than just a meal—it’s an experience that sets the tone for the day. Ginna Gordon, renowned chef, author, and artist, has designed a menu that reflects the same thoughtfulness and care as the hotel’s interiors: a perfect blend of healthy, fresh, and indulgent flavors.
"Just like The Charles combines style and inclusivity, my breakfast menu is all about balance—a feast for every kind of traveler,” Ginna says. “I make sure that the health-conscious guest finds something nourishing, the plant-based traveler feels catered to, and the indulgent foodie has that one perfect, decadent bite to start the day.”
Ginna’s career is rooted in art, books, and food, and she has made her mark as a restaurateur, cookbook author, and culinary consultant. From leading kitchens at Rainbow Ranch in Calistoga to designing events for The Carmel Music Society and The Bach Festival, her experience is as varied as it is impressive. She has even cooked for Hollywood legends like Steven Seagal, both on set and in private residences.
But it was her role as executive chef at the Chopra Center for Well Being that led to her most celebrated work: A Simple Celebration, a bestselling cookbook published by Random House, which embodies her philosophy of mindful, joyful eating. Now, she brings that same artistry and warmth to The Charles, crafting breakfasts that feel like a personal, homemade experience—where every bite tells a story.
Whether you start your day with a locally sourced fruit bowl, a buttery pastry, or a hearty, protein-rich dish, Ginna ensures that each morning at The Charles begins with comfort, joy, and an irresistible aroma wafting from the kitchen.
Artists in Tandem
Ginna and Charles met at a summer book arts workshop in Carmel Valley, California, in 1974. He was fresh out of college and teaching art to students at Notre Dame High School in Salinas. She was teaching book arts students how to make marbled papers.
Throughout their long friendship, they have followed and supported each other’s careers, stayed in each other’s homes, cooked dinner together and discussed life, loves and longings on meandering walks by the ocean.
As Chef/Consultant, Ginna is part of the developmental team of The Charles, creating a professional and welcoming dining area and a menu plan for luscious morning breakfast and savory, wine-accompanied afternoon offerings.