St. Louis Rams: Bill Cardwell

Bill Cardwell, owner of Cardwell's at the Plaza, is recognized throughout the country as a committed philanthropist and culinary leader. A Vermont native, he graduated from the Culinary Institute of America with honors and apprenticed under the renowned Albert Stockli of the Four Seasons in New York City and later throughout Switzerland. During the last three decades, Bill's professional experiences have run the gamut, from small family-owned businesses to culinary director of a national, multi-unit corporation. Continually ranked one of the region's top restaurants, Cardwell's at the Plaza has collected such accolades throughout the years as Best New Restaurant, Top New Restaurants, Esquire magazine Top Ten, Food & Wine Best in America, USA Today, Wine Spectator Award of Excellence, and America's Top Tables Gourmet magazine, plus numerous local publications. Serving as a national director and founder of the St. Louis Original's, a chapter of the Council of Independent Restaurants, Bill has joined an impressive team of colleagues from all over the country, committed to preserving the spirit and success of the independent restaurant. Bill also devotes his time to the larger community as co-chair of the annual March of Dimes Star Chef's Gala, Taste of the Nation S.O.S., Edgewood Children's Center annual vineyard tasting, and the Super Bowl Taste of the NFL to benefit the hungry and homeless.