Charles Phoenix

Charles Phoenix (born December 20, 1962) is an American pop culture humorist, historian, author, and chef known for exploring 1950s and 1960s kitsch and Americana. He gained recognition through his 'Retro slide shows,' which feature vintage film slides depicting mid-century American life and culture, accompanied by his commentary. Phoenix is also known for creating exaggerated novelty foods and desserts, such as the Cherpumple, a three-layer cake/pie hybrid. He has made appearances as a judge on the Food Network series Cake Wars and is a frequent guest commentator on NPR and KCET. Raised in Upland, California, Phoenix's early exposure to his father's used car lot sparked his love for vintage and retro items, particularly automobiles.