American chef Thomas Keller is one of the most successful and richest chefs in the world. While most people have heard of this celebrity chef, there are many facts about Thomas Keller that people do not know. Here are some Thomas Keller facts to get to know this chef, restaurateur, author, and television personality better.
Thomas Keller Facts: His Personal Life and Family
Where Was Thomas Keller Born?
Thomas Keller was born on 14 October 1955 in Camp Pendleton, Oceanside, California. When he was four, his parents divorced, and his family moved to Palm Beach, Florida.
His Mother Taught Him Many Culinary Skills
Keller’s first cooking experience came from his mother, a restaurateur. When her cook became ill, she would employ her son to help in the kitchen. Keller also spent the summers of his teen years working in the kitchen of the Palm Beach Yacht Club as a dishwasher. After working there for several years, he landed the job of cooking.
Is Thomas Keller Married?
One of the Thomas Keller facts fans of the celebrity chef want to know is, ‘Is Thomas Keller married?’ As of July 2021, Thomas Keller does not have a wife. However, he is engaged to Laura Cunningham, with whom he has been in a relationship since 2008. Cunningham previously worked as the general manager at The French Laundry. The couple does not have any children.
What Is Thomas Keller’s Net Worth?
Due to the success of his culinary career, Thomas Keller is one of the richest celebrity chefs in the world. Thomas Keller’s net worth is $160 million. He is richer than Wolfgang Puck and Guy Fieri but not as rich as Nobu Matsuhisa, Gordon Ramsay, Jamie Oliver and Alan Wong.
His Culinary Career
Keller Began His Career in Rhode Island
At the beginning of his culinary career, Thomas Keller worked as a cook in Rhode Island during the summers. He was then discovered by Master Chef Roland Henin, who employed Keller to cook the staff meals at The Dunes Club. Henin taught Keller the fundamentals of classical French cooking. Keller then worked in various restaurants in Florida, including spending three years at La Rive in Catskill, New York.
He Apprenticed in Several Michelin-Starred Restaurants
Keller spent three years at La Rive, and he wanted to buy it from the owners. After he failed to do so, he moved to New York and continued his apprenticeship at various restaurants. He then furthered his experience in several Michelin-starred restaurants in Paris.
He Opened His First Restaurant in 1987
Keller returned to America from Paris in 1984 and worked at La Reserve in New York. Three years later, he opened his own restaurant, Rakel. It was a fine-dining restaurant that combined American and French cuisine, which is the style for which Thomas Keller has become known.
What Are Thomas Keller’s Restaurants Called?
Keller’s most famous restaurant is The French Laundry in Yountville, California. He bought the restaurant in 1992 when it was an old French steam laundry. It was another two years before the conversion of the building to a restaurant was complete, and it opened its doors for the first time.
In 1998, Keller opened Bouchon just down the street from The French Laundry. His partner in this business is his brother, Joseph Keller.
A few years later, they opened the Bouchon Bakery next door. Keller opened another Bouchon and Bouchon Bakery venue in Las Vegas in 2004. In the same year, Keller launched another restaurant called Per Se, which is in the Time Warner Center complex in New York.
His other restaurants in Yountville include Ad Hoc, Addendum, and La Calenda. Keller also owns TAK Room in New York and The Surf Club in Miami.
Two of Keller’s Restaurants Have Three-Michelin Stars
Both Per Se and The French Laundry have three Michelin stars. Keller became the only American chef to have two restaurants that simultaneously hold three Michelin stars. Bouchon (California) also holds a Michelin star.
He Retired from the Kitchen in 2012
Although he still owns and manages restaurants, Thomas Keller decided to retire from the kitchen in 2012. At that time, he wanted talented younger chefs to take over the kitchen operations in his restaurants.
Thomas Keller in the Media
He Has Published Five Cookbooks
During his career, Thomas Keller has authored five cookbooks. These are:
- The French Laundry Cookbook (1999)
- Bouchon (2004)
- Under Pressure: Cooking Sous Vide (2008)
- Ad Hoc at Home (2009)
- Bouchon Bakery (2012)
Keller Worked in an Advisory Capacity on Two Films
Although he is usually linked more to the culinary world than to the film industry, Thomas Keller has worked in an advisory capacity on two films. The first was the romantic comedy ‘Spanglish,’ on which he worked alongside Adam Sandler to develop the perfect sandwich that a bachelor might create. Keller was then a consultant for the Pixar animation ‘Ratatouille’ in 2007. The celebrity chef allowed the producer to intern in one of his restaurants, and he also created a unique layered version of ratatouille for the film.
His Television Appearances
Keller has appeared as a guest on multiple chat shows and food-related series. He has also appeared on television as a guest judge or featured chef in the following series:
- The Great British Menu (2008), when Prue Leith judged the series
- Top Chef (Episode 13, Season 6, 2009)
- MasterChef Australia (2011), as a guest judge alongside Matt Preston, Gary Mehigan, and George Calombaris
- Barefoot Contessa (2013) alongside Ina Garten
He Has Also Had Two Small Film Roles
Keller has had small roles in two films. His first was a cameo role in ‘Ratatouille’ for which he was also an advisor. His second was in ‘A Slice of Key Lime Pie’, where he played Rusty Qualen.
Keller Teaches Online Classes
Thomas Keller strongly believes in teaching culinary skills to others. On the website Masterclass.com, Keller offers three online cooking classes.
Other Thomas Keller Facts
He Has Won Multiple Awards
Keller has won multiple awards throughout his culinary career. In addition to his Michelin stars, he has multiple awards from the James Beard Foundation and Restaurant Magazine. The American Academy of Achievement also awarded him the Golden Plate Award, and he has been inducted into the Culinary Hall of Fame.
What Is Thomas Keller’s Favourite Food?
According to Post Magazine, Thomas Keller’s favourite food is bistro-style dishes. He enjoys steak with lemon butter and frites or roast chicken with salad and a vinaigrette dressing.
He Has Three Non-Restaurant Business Ventures
Although he is best known for his restaurants, Thomas Keller also has other business ventures. In 1992, he launched a company that sells olive oil and red wine vinegar along with his girlfriend of that time. Next, Keller began marketing a line of white Limoges porcelain dinnerware and silver hollowware by Christofle. He has recently attached his name to a range of MAC signature knives.
He Owns a Sports Car
In an interview with Diced, Thomas Keller said his dream was always to own a sports car. Eventually, he bought himself a sports car, which has spent most of its time parked in the garage ever since. While the idea of having a sports car and its associated lifestyle seemed a great idea, he realized that it did not suit him.
Thomas Keller Lives a Healthy Lifestyle
In recent years, Thomas Keller has focused more on living a healthy lifestyle. He has started eating healthier and enjoys working out to maintain his health.
If you have enjoyed reading our Thomas Keller facts, then you might also like to read our facts about Robert Irvine, Gino D’Acampo, Bobby Flay, Ree Drummond, Allegra McEvedy, and Fred Sirieix.
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