Charles R. Knight

Chef Charles Knight – Culinary Innovator, Educator & Television Pioneer

Charles Raymond Knight (born February 20, 1947) is an American chef, cookbook author, television personality, entrepreneur, and United States Naval Air veteran. He is the founder of Health Craft Cookware, a premium American-made stainless-steel cookware company specializing in waterless and greaseless cooking systems.

For more than five decades, Chef Charles Knight has been recognized as one of the world’s leading authorities on the classical methods of waterless and greaseless cooking, nutritional preservation, and televised culinary education.

Early Life & Culinary Training

Born in Rahway, New Jersey, Chef Knight grew up surrounded by the rich diner culture and diverse ethnic food traditions of mid-century America. His passion for accessible, home-based cooking began early.

He trained under Chef William Christmas while still in high school, gaining hands-on experience in industrial kitchens and restaurants.

He later attended the Institute of Culinary Education in New York City and earned continuing education credits in Nutritional Cuisine from the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York.

He also trained under renowned television chef Chef Tell Erhardt, host of In the Kitchen with Chef Tell, whose charismatic live demonstrations influenced Knight’s dynamic presentation style.

Founder of Health Craft Cookware

On July 7, 1970, Chef Knight established the Health Craft Cookware from a small office in Rahway, New Jersey. The company became known for:

• Multi-ply stainless steel construction

• Waterless and greaseless cooking technology

• Nutrient retention systems

• Energy-efficient performance

• Lifetime craftsmanship

Health Craft pioneered American-made cookware engineered to cook with minimal water and no added grease, preserving natural flavor, texture, and nutritional value.

Today, Health Craft Cookware remains a multi-generation family business headquartered in Tampa, Florida.

Television & Infomercial Pioneer

Chef Knight became one of America’s first infomercial chefs during the early 1980s, helping pioneer televised culinary education.

He has appeared in more than 250 television broadcasts nationwide, including:

• Jack Can’t Cook with Jack Harris (NBC/WFLA & Food Network)

• In the Kitchen with Chef Tell (PAX Television Network)

• Tammy’s House Party with Tammy Faye Bakker on the PTL Network

His live demonstrations combined humor, science, and practical instruction — creating a new form of cookware “edutainment” that blended culinary education with product innovation.

Author & Culinary Educator

Chef Knight is the author of multiple health-focused cookbooks, including:

• The Better Health Cookbook

• A Guide to Waterless Cooking

• Healthy Meat and Potatoes

• Cooking for a Longer, Healthier Life

• In the Kitchen with Chef Tell

His writing emphasizes:

• Nutritional science

• Healthy home cooking

• Classical European techniques

• American culinary history

• Cookware innovation

His guiding principle:
“Better health begins in the kitchen.”

Military Service

Before launching his culinary career, Chef Knight served honorably in the United States Navy Air with VP-8 Anti-Submarine Warfare Squadron.

His military service instilled discipline, precision, and leadership—qualities that later defined his business success and teaching style.

Personal Life

Chef Knight resides in Tampa, Florida with his wife and business partner, LeAnn Knight. Together they have co-authored recipe collections and hosted the live demonstration series Cooking for Two.

Beyond cooking, he writes and speaks on faith, health, cultural heritage, and the importance of nutrition, clean air, clean water, and restorative sleep as pillars of longevity.

Legacy & Authority

As part of the first generation of televised chefs, Chef Charles Knight helped bridge the professional kitchen and the American home.

He is widely regarded as:

• A pioneer of waterless and greaseless cooking

• An early innovator of infomercial culinary education

• A leader in American-made cookware craftsmanship

• A lifelong advocate for nutritional preservation

For over 50 years, his mission has remained the same:

Empower families to cook healthier meals using better tools.

References

1. Health Craft Cookware Official Website. Company History and Product Information. https://www.healthcraft.com
2. Knight, Charles R. The Better Health Cookbook. Health Craft Publications, Tampa, FL.
3. Knight, Charles R. Cooking for a Longer, Healthier Life. Health Craft Press.
4. “Tammy’s House Party” (PTL Network, 1980s) – Episode archives and guest features.
5. United States Navy Historical Archives – VP-8 Anti-Submarine Warfare Squadron Service Records.
6. Culinary Institute of America, Hyde Park – Alumni Continuing Education Records (Nutritional Cuisine Credits).
7. Erhardt, Tell. In the Kitchen with Chef Tell. Syndicated television program, 1980s–1990s.

Charles R. Knight

{{Infobox person
| name = Charles R. Knight
| image = Charles_Knight_HealthCraft.jpg
| caption = Chef Charles Knight, founder of Health Craft Cookware
| birth_name = Charles Raymond Knight
| birth_date = February 20, 1947
| birth_place = Rahway, New Jersey, U.S.
| nationality = American
| occupation = Chef, author, entrepreneur, television personality
| years_active = 1970–present
| known_for = Founder of Health Craft Cookware; pioneer of waterless and greaseless cooking; infomercial television chef
| education = Institute of Culinary Education (New York City); Culinary Institute of America (Hyde Park)
| spouse = LeAnn Knight
| website = [https://www.healthcraft.com healthcraft.com]
| military_service = United States Navy Air Service, VP-8 Anti-Submarine Warfare Squadron
}}

Lede Summary

Charles Raymond Knight (born February 20, 1947) is an American chef, cookbook author, television personality, and entrepreneur. He is best known as an infomercial pioneer and the founder of Health Craft Cookware, an American company specializing in premium waterless and greaseless stainless-steel cookware. A United States Naval Air veteran, Knight has been a leading advocate for nutritional education, healthy home cooking, and American-made craftsmanship for more than five decades. He is widely regarded as a foremost authority on the classical methods of waterless and greaseless cooking and an early innovator of televised culinary education.