Charlie Ayers

In 1999, Google took Charlie Ayers on with a brief to feed the Google employees (only 40 at the time) a lunch that would have them back at their computer screens in the afternoon, full of energy and creativity; not slumped over their desks. The Google canteen, known as Charlie's cafe, quickly became an institution. By the time he left in 2005 he was feeding 1,500. Charlie continues to feed the brains that drive Silicon Valley. He is opening a healthy fast-food restaurant, Calafia, in Palo Alto,...See more

In 1999, Google took Charlie Ayers on with a brief to feed the Google employees (only 40 at the time) a lunch that would have them back at their computer screens in the afternoon, full of energy and creativity; not slumped over their desks. The Google canteen, known as Charlie's cafe, quickly became an institution. By the time he left in 2005 he was feeding 1,500. Charlie continues to feed the brains that drive Silicon Valley. He is opening a healthy fast-food restaurant, Calafia, in Palo Alto, home of Stanford University, in 2008, and plans more in the future.. See less