In The News – Impetus & Influence; 7 inspirational chefs from around the region
March 6, 2026 | Member Submitted
Originally published in the Tahoe Daily Tribune, 3/6/2026, Written by Robert Galloway
Chef: Charlie Soule
Restaurant: Soule Domain (Kings Beach)
As a longtime chef in Tahoe, Charlie Soule began his career more out of practicality rather than passion. Cooking offered a flexible schedule that could fit around his love for skiing and the Tahoe lifestyle. After that initial experience, and a brief stint in the construction business, he found himself on the line at the Hyatt’s restaurant in the early 1980s, where the energy and teamwork of the kitchen sparked something deeper. The competitive, fast-paced environment reminded him of sports, and he began to see each service as a shared challenge to create great food and memorable experiences.
Over time, his culinary inspiration evolved through mentors like Matt Adams of Christie Hill (who encouraged him to open his own restaurant) and from early cookbook influences such as Jeremiah Tower and Barbara Tropp, whose China Moon cookbook inspired him to incorporate Asian flavors into his dishes.
Photo: Rob Galloway – Tahoe Magazine