Charlie Santoina Redden Jr.—known to most as Master Chef Charlie—isn’t just a chef; he’s a culinary legend with a story as rich as his recipes. From the bustling kitchens of the White House to humble beginnings in Wilmington, Delaware’s East Riverside Projects, Chef Charlie has always turned life’s toughest ingredients into something extraordinary.
Born in Florence, South Carolina, and raised in Wilmington, Charlie learned grit and grace early. At Howard High School of Technology, his passion for cooking ignited under mentor Lucian Dillingham, a savvy restaurateur. That spark grew when he earned a spot at Hotel Dupont, where Executive Chef Roland Johnson taught him five-star cuisine and the skills to conquer life’s challenges.
In 1980, Charlie joined the U.S. Navy, where a 21-year career saw him cooking for admirals and eventually in the White House. As Catering Supervisor, he orchestrated 600+ events with unmatched finesse, serving President Bill Clinton and senior staff.
But Chef Charlie is about more than high-profile events. His mission has always been bigger than food—it’s about nourishing the soul. Through bestselling cookbooks like Necessary Goodness and his memoir SCULPTED: From the Ghettos to Becoming the White House Mess’ First Certified Executive Chef, his words have inspired thousands.
Charlie shares lessons from a lifetime of faith and perseverance in his latest book, Where Peaceful Waters Flow.
Where Peaceful Waters Flow: Finding Calm in Chaos by Charlie Santoina Redden Jr.
Life gets loud, and it’s easy to forget what peace feels like. Where Peaceful Waters Flow invites you to pause, exhale, and return to the stillness that’s already inside you. This book isn’t just poetry, essays, and reflections—it’s a comforting reminder that peace doesn’t come from chasing or earning; it’s something you decide to welcome and protect.
Through the words of church members, friends, family, and colleagues, this collection offers wisdom drawn from real lives, real struggles, and real triumphs. It’s filled with warmth, love, and truth, each page carrying the power to quiet your mind and uplift your spirit. Whether you’re seeking clarity, comfort, or a deeper connection to God, these pages will meet you where you are.
Shaped by quiet moments of reflection and a deep sense of faith, this book was born from faith and reflection. It carries a simple yet powerful message: peace is already within you, and with God’s presence, you can access it no matter how chaotic life becomes.
Let this book, Where Peaceful Waters Flow, be your invitation to pause, reflect, and embrace the calm that has been quietly waiting inside you all along. Step into these pages and allow your heart to be filled with love, hope, and a renewed sense of purpose.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
15 A Special Word from Charlie Santoina Redden Jr.
17 Where Peaceful Waters Flow
19 Heavenly Bound
21 Dwelling Together in Divine Unity
23 Awakened to the Questions Not Yet Answered
25 Better Days Ahead
27 Let His Will Be Done
31 Rumble in the Jungle
33 How Long? Not Long, The Secret Garden of Prayer
36 Just Stand: Dedicated to Pastor and First Lady Anthony Medlock
38 Embracing Faith, Love, and Life’s Blessings
41 Kingdom Come 43 Kindred Voices of Faith and Purpose
45 Community Reflections and Wisdom
52 In His Own Words
59 A Letter to God That Wasn’t Voided
62 And the Lord Said, I’ll Make Me a Man
65 Shelter from the Storm: Dedicated to the Brave Soldiers of the U.S. Navy Fleet
67 Never Alone: A Child’s Prayer
69 A Mellow Dance Above the White Clouds
73 Hi Son from Mom
75 Footprints in the Winds of Time
77 Better Days Ahead for Charlie III
81 Shadows
83 Christ, Being in the Nature of Man
85 The Story About One and Their Church
88 The Heart of Someone’s Soul
92 Faith in the Eyes of the Believer
95 The New Hope Church
98 ’Tis the Season for Blessings: The Madame or the Mother
101 The Willow Tree
103 What Goes Around Comes Around
106 Grace That Rises 108 The Old Rugged Cross
111 The Madame’s Plea
113 Home Again
115 The Lonely Whispers of a Man’s Cry
117 The Wedding: “For Better or Worse, I Still Choose You”
119 For Adam So Loved His Eve: Relationships Then and Now
123 A Magic Note: The Story About a Man and His Woman
125 Sisters, the Example of Strength and Love
127 Poetry by Brenda Redden Bradley
129 If You Could See Me Now
131 Dear Elder Everett Hall
133 Acknowledgments
135 About the Author
Order on Amazon in hardcover, Where Peaceful Waters Flow: Finding Calm in Chaos by Charlie Santoina Redden Jr. Purchase today: https://a.co/d/gRN08Sb