16 Recipes to Make at Home for a Taste of Thomas Keller (2024)

Food & Wine began naming Best New Chefs in 1988, and Thomas Keller was among the first group to receive the honor. At that time, he was cooking at his first restaurant, Rakel in New York City; Andrew Zimmern was a line cook there, and Tom Colicchio was a sous chef. Keller left Rakel for California in 1990 when his business partner decided to take the restaurant in a different direction amid an economic downturn. It wasn't long before Keller learned about a certain restaurant space for sale in Napa Valley; in July of 1994, The French Laundry opened its doors.

The James Beard Foundation named Thomas Keller the Best California Chef in 1996; and the Best Chef in America in 1997. By 2003 and 2004, The French Laundry ranked number one among the World's 50 Best Restaurants. Keller went on to open several more restaurants, including Bouchon, Per Se, and Ad Hoc; both The French Laundry and Per Se hold three Michelin stars.

Thomas Keller is known for applying American flavors to French classics. The recipes he's contributed to Food & Wine span the styles found at his various outposts: We have comfort food recipes in the vein of Ad Hoc; inventive, elevated dishes like the ones found at The French Laundry; and even a Bouchon-inspired quiche. Cook your way through this collection of dishes for a taste of celebrated chef Thomas Keller at home.

01of 16

Lemon-Brined Fried Chicken

16 Recipes to Make at Home for a Taste of Thomas Keller (1)

To make this juicy and delectably crisp chicken, chef Thomas Keller soaks the poultry in a lemony brine, then coats and fries it.

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02of 16

Summer Salad with Mustard Vinaigrette

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Thomas Keller is a huge fan of spontaneous salads and invariably tops them with this creamy vinaigrette. It's inspired by his time at the former La Rive Restaurant in Catskill, New York; he's been making some version of it for 40 years. The salad itself changes constantly, based on what's in The French Laundry garden or at the market; make it with the best fresh vegetables you can get.

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03of 16

Chanterelle Omelets with Fines Herbes Sauce

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Why does Thomas Keller make a one-egg omelet? Because the result is so much more delicate and alluring than the supersize omelets made with multiple eggs, especially with a creamy chanterelle filling.

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04of 16

Slow-Cooked Lamb with Cipolini, Dates, Kale, and Almonds

Keller’s trick for yielding extra-flavorful meat is seasoning the roast a day in advance: The lamb takes on the aroma of garlic and thyme as well as a subtle heat from piment d’Espelette, a smoky, mildly spicy ground pepper.

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05of 16

Panko-Coated Chicken Schnitzel

16 Recipes to Make at Home for a Taste of Thomas Keller (5)

Thomas Keller uses panko breadcrumbs to give chicken a crunchy crust. "Pounding chicken breasts to a uniform thickness cuts down on cooking time," he says.

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06of 16

Iceberg Wedges with Bacon and Buttermilk Dressing

16 Recipes to Make at Home for a Taste of Thomas Keller (6)

This salad from Thomas Keller's family-style restaurant, Ad Hoc, in Yountville, California, is a twist on the quintessential American combination of iceberg lettuce, tomato wedges, and packaged bacon bits with a mayonnaise dressing. Only the iceberg lettuce wedges stay the same: The tomatoes are oven-roasted, the bacon is cut extra thick, and the buttermilk dressing is spiked with chives, mint, and parsley.

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07of 16

Smoked Salmon Crisps

16 Recipes to Make at Home for a Taste of Thomas Keller (7)

Thomas Keller's salmon cornets (tuiles shaped into tiny cones and topped with crème fraîche and fresh salmon) are a famous kickoff to his luxe and whimsical meals at The French Laundry in Napa Valley. Here, we leave the tuiles flat, like crackers.

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08of 16

Whipped Yukon Gold Potatoes

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These potatoes from Ad Hoc have a wonderfully fluffy texture because they're passed through a ricer or food mill to make them especially airy. But they're also nicely rich, thanks to generous amounts of butter and heavy cream.

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09of 16

BLT Fried Egg and Cheese Sandwich

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Thomas Keller's scrumptious recipe combines three of the world's most popular sandwiches: bacon, lettuce, and tomato; fried egg; and grilled cheese.

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10of 16

Over-the-Top Mushroom Quiche

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"I love quiche, but it has to be several inches high and made right," says Thomas Keller. This high-rising version, which is adapted from a recipe in his Bouchon cookbook, just might be the perfect one, and it's well worth the time it takes to prepare.

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11of 16

Olive Oil-Poached Cod with Mussels, Orange, and Chorizo

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At The French Laundry, Thomas Keller serves this dish with an orange gelée flavored with Espelette peppers. In this simplified version, he pairs the olive oil–poached cod with an orange sauce vierge, a classic French sauce typically made from olive oil and lemon juice.

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12of 16

Whole Grilled Chicken with Wilted Arugula

16 Recipes to Make at Home for a Taste of Thomas Keller (12)

"I don't care if you're sophisticated, with a boatload of money," says Thomas Keller. "Roasted chicken makes you feel wonderful." Cooking a whole chicken on the grill can be tricky, but Keller has perfected a method that uses indirect heat; he adds rosemary sprigs to the coals to infuse the smoke and flavor the chicken.

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13of 16

Salt-Baked Branzino

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Thomas Keller cooks whole fish in a salt crust to keep it moist, then serves it with a chunky zucchini-basilpistou — Provence’s version of pesto — and lemony cherry tomatoes.

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14of 16

Braised Vegetable Hash

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This colorful, tasty vegetable hash is delicious by itself or with a fried egg on top.

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15of 16

Sautéed Brussels Sprouts and Squash with Fried Sage

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This super-autumnal dish offers an unusual combination of brussels sprouts and butternut squash, which generally stand on their own as side dishes. The brussels sprout leaves are savory, the chunks of squash are tender and sweet, and the fried sage garnish is pungent and crunchy.

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Fennel Mustard

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A terrific condiment from Thomas Keller's Ad Hoc at Home; try it on roast pork.

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16 Recipes to Make at Home for a Taste of Thomas Keller (2024)

FAQs

What is Thomas Keller's most famous dish? ›

Oysters and Pearls

This is perhaps one of chef Keller's most famous dishes, a sabayon of pearl tapioca, beau soleil oysters and white sturgeon caviar.

What type of chef is Thomas Keller? ›

Under Henin's study, Keller learned the fundamentals of classical French cooking. After The Dunes Club, Keller worked various cooking positions in Florida and soon became the cook at a small French restaurant called La Rive in the Hudson River valley in Catskill, New York.

How many restaurants does Thomas Keller own? ›

With 10 properties and over 800 employees, the Thomas Keller Restaurant Group (TKRG) has grown from one restaurant to a large family of businesses. TKRG proudly represents The French Laundry, Per Se, Bouchon Bistro, Bouchon Bakery, Ad Hoc, La Calenda and The Surf Club Restaurant.

What are some fun facts about Thomas Keller? ›

He is the first and only American-born chef to hold multiple three-star ratings from the prestigious Michelin Guide, as well as the first American male chef to be designated a Chevalier of The French Legion of Honor.

What is the most famous dish ever? ›

Pizza has rightfully earned its place as the world's most beloved food. This Italian creation has become a staple in numerous countries, with endless variations to suit every taste bud. Whether you prefer thin crust or deep dish, classic Margherita, or loaded pepperoni, pizza has something for everyone.

What is Thomas special dish? ›

"Warmth" is a Special Dish that the player has a chance to obtain by cooking Miso Soup with Thoma. The recipe for Miso Soup is available from Shimura Kanbei in Inazuma City for 1,250 Mora. "Warmth" restores 14% of Max HP to the selected character and regenerates 350 HP every 5s for 30s.

Who was the chef who trained Gordon Ramsay? ›

Marco Pierre White (born 11 December 1961) is a British chef, restaurateur, and television personality. In 1995, he became the first British chef to be awarded three Michelin stars. He has trained chefs including Mario Batali, Shannon Bennett, Gordon Ramsay, Curtis Stone, Phil Howard and Stephen Terry.

Is Gordon Ramsay a culinary chef? ›

Gordon James Ramsay OBE (/ˈræmzi/; born8 November 1966) is a British celebrity chef, restaurateur, television presenter, and writer. His restaurant group, Gordon Ramsay Restaurants, was founded in 1997 and has been awarded 17 Michelin stars overall and currently holds eight.

Who is the deaf chef? ›

Yvonne Cobb is a broadcaster, chef and Deaf advocate who has broken barriers and achieved several notable firsts during her career.

Who is the #1 chef in the world? ›

Introducing Joël Robuchon – the chef with the most Michelin stars. He holds the number one spot among the top 10 chefs in the world, which makes him the best chef in the world according to the Michelin star rating.

How much does it cost to eat at The French Laundry? ›

Even in the least pandemic of times, Thomas Keller's critically cherished Yountville restaurant, the French Laundry, was a luxury affair, at around $350 per person to start. An expense that, in flush times, could be worth it for a rare-in-a-lifetime dining event.

What is the sister restaurant for French laundry? ›

In October 1998, four years after his successful debut in Napa Valley with The French Laundry, Chef Thomas Keller introduced Bouchon, offering authentic French bistro fare with Keller's unfailing attention to detail in both ingredients and presentation.

What chefs trained under Thomas Keller? ›

Like the chefs de cuisine he trained under, Corey Lee, Jonathan Benno and Eli Kaimeh, David is a product of a culinary culture shaped by a sense of community and Thomas Keller's mentorship.

Where does Thomas Keller currently live? ›

Today, Thomas Keller and Laura Cunningham make their home in a house behind The French Laundry, while they operate fine dining establishments — as well as casual bistros, cafés and bakeries — in New York, Las Vegas, Beverly Hills and the Napa Valley.

Who was The French Laundry before Thomas Keller? ›

Sally Schmitt opened The French Laundry in 1978 and designed her menus around local, seasonal ingredients; she was a visionary chef and pioneer of California cuisine. Since 1994, the chef and owner of The French Laundry is Thomas Keller.

Who was the first black cook? ›

James Hemings

Did Thomas Keller invent ratatouille? ›

Thomas Keller was the chef who created Remy's version of ratatouille, and he understood how food can deeply connect one another.

Who is the father of American cooking? ›

James Beard was a prolific cookbook author and cooking teacher. Known as the Dean of American Cookery, he championed our national cuisine, establishing American cooking as a force equal to the great cuisines of Europe and the rest of the world.

Who was the greatest chef of his time and father of culinary arts? ›

Auguste Escoffier (born October 28, 1846, Villeneuve-Loubet, France—died February 12, 1935, Monte-Carlo, Monaco) was a French culinary artist, known as “the king of chefs and the chef of kings,” who earned a worldwide reputation as director of the kitchens at the Savoy Hotel (1890–99) and afterward at the Carlton Hotel ...

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