We had an opportunity to interview Thomas Keller at the Bocuse d’Or at Epcot last week. How we did this and didn’t submissively pee on the floor, I’ll never know.
I mean, the French Laundry Cookbook is probably the most influential work that I’ve read in the last 15 years. Keller, through his writing, bitch slapped me off of my laurels and made me think about ingredients, refinement of technique, and yes, finesse, in ways that I never thought possible.
I was quite surprised and relieved to find that a man with such focus and drive, was also quite easy going and congenial.
If I might interject, Greg, he was extremely modest, as if he was still not quite certain why people hold his craft in such high regard. Dapper is another word that comes to mind. His on camera presence does him no justice, he is quite handsome and has a magnetic draw about him. He is also highly intelligent, calculating each answer skillfully.
Here’s how it went:
Greg: On a completely silly note, we came across Keller later that evening at a BBQ. He and I were dressed identically. Identically. How am I ever going to get rid of the perception that I have a man crush on the guy when the innovator copies me?
Michelle: On a completely silly note, I now have a wonderful fantasy.