DiRoNA is very proud to announce that our 2017 Hall of Fame inductee is Charles ‘Chick’ Marshall of Orange, California. Charles has dedicated many years to the DiRoNA organization as a Board member since 1999 and its Chairman in 2005, 2014 and 2015.Chick Marshall Hall of Fame Distinguished Restaurants of North America

“We are very honored to add Charles Marshall to the Hall of Fame list of the restaurant industry’s most renowned names,” noted Scott Breard, DiRoNA’s Executive Director. “Charles has been instrumental in providing us with his expertise and guidance as our current Vice Chairman, USA. The organization will always be grateful for his passion and commitment to maintain DiRoNA as the premier fine dining award.”

The hospitality industry was always a part of Charles’ life. He was raised in his family’s seashore resort hotel and restaurant business located in Wildwood, New Jersey. A graduate of the Cornell University School of Hotel Administration, Charles spent many years in senior positions and co-owner of numerous restaurants across the country.

During 1977 the Marshall family sold its resort business. After looking at many options the family purchased Mr Stox Restaurant in Anaheim, California. It was managed by Chick, his brother Ron & Debbie Marshall (Ron’s wife) until it closed in March 2013 after 36 years of Marshall family ownership. Mr Stox was a large fine dining restaurant seating over 275 guests in six dining rooms.  Over the years it has received numerous acknowledgments for the quality of its food and service; among them is the Distinguished Restaurants of North America “Award of Excellence”. 

Charles was active in the Community serving for many years on the Executive Committee of the Anaheim Area Visitors and Convention Bureau and the Anaheim Chamber of Commerce.  In addition, Chick has served as president of several organizations: the Anaheim YMCA, the Anaheim – East Rotary Club, the Chaîne des Rôtisseurs – South Coast Chapter and the Anaheim Visitors and Convention Bureau.  He has been a member of the California Restaurant Association Board of Directors since 1980 and Chick taught Wine Education Classes at Mr Stox, Cal State Fullerton Hospitality College and at UC Irvine. 

Charles and his wife Susan live in Orange, California where they enjoy spending time with their children and grandchildren.  They also take pleasure in reading, traveling, wine collecting, and cooking.  Charles is an avid fly fisherman, photographer, game bird hunter, and golfer. Charles will be presented with the coveted DiRoNA Hall of Fame plaque during the DiRoNA Reunion Lunch taking place Sunday, May 21st at The Montgomery Club in Chicago, IL.

The DiRoNA Hall of Fame was established in 1993 with the initial induction of 14 members. Since that time, honorees are selected and honored annually at the annual reunion. Nominees are solicited from the DiRoNA membership and then presented to the Advisory Board. Candidates qualify by having at least 25 years of dedicated service and by making significant contributions to the distinguished dining industry.