Chef Thomas Keller Celebrates The 25th Anniversary Of The French Laundry

8 April 2020

On Saturday 6 July, Robert Walton MBE and his wife Donna Ida Thornton joined Chef Thomas Keller, Laura Cunningham and the team at The French Laundry as they celebrated the 25th anniversary of the historic Three-Michelin Star restaurant. Regarded as one of the world’s best restaurants, friends, family and alumni gathered at the iconic establishment to toast to its silver anniversary.

YOUNTVILLE, CA – July 6 – Thomas Keller and Daniel Boulud attend The French Laundry 25th Anniversary Celebration on July 6th 2019 at The French Laundry in yountville, CA (Photo – Drew Altizer)

YOUNTVILLE, CA – July 6 – Thomas Keller attends The French Laundry 25th Anniversary Celebration on July 6th 2019 at The French Laundry in yountville, CA (Photo – Drew Altizer)

Since Chef Keller took ownership of The French Laundry in 1994, it has received numerous honors and accolades. The menu, which changes daily, commits itself to serving classic French cuisine with the finest quality ingredients, along with a similarly dedicated focus on impeccable guest service.

Over the past 25 years, the restaurant has evolved, undergoing a kitchen redesign and renovation, expanding the Culinary Garden, working with incomparable Chefs de Cuisine including Eric Ziebold, Corey Lee and Timothy Hollingsworth, and Pastry Chefs Stephen Durfee and Elwyn Boyles among many others, while always maintaining its unwavering commitment to excellent cuisine and service.

Situated in the historic courtyard with florals and design by Ken Fulk, his team curated the atmosphere to
be a celebration of wine country and its natural beauty. Chef Thomas Keller and Chef de Cuisine David
Breeden developed the milestone menu which highlighted some of the most classic dishes from its
repertoire, while also paying homage to the earlier years; many offerings also incorporated ingredients
from the restaurant’s Culinary Garden, truffles from longtime purveyor Céline Labaune of Gourmet
Attitude, and Chef Keller’s K+M Extravirgin Chocolate and Regiis Ova Caviar. Dishes inspired by
neighboring Thomas Keller restaurants Bouchon Bistro, ad hoc and La Calenda were also served. Ice
sculptures adorned the raw and champagne bar.

Head Sommelier Erik Johnson selected a collection of wines from the 1994 vintage, many of which were donated by friends, family and partners of the restaurant including: Paradigm, Ghost Block, Opus One, Daou Vineyards, Ernest Vineyards, Staglin Family Vineyards and Mayacamas. Champagne was provided by Dom Perignon. Tequila was provided by Casa Dragones with a special pouring in the Board Room accompanied with a special 25th anniversary Davidoff cigar.

YOUNTVILLE, CA – July 6 – The French Laundry attends The French Laundry 25th Anniversary Celebration on July 6th 2019 at The French Laundry in yountville, CA (Photo – Drew Altizer)

YOUNTVILLE, CA – July 6 – The French Laundry, Tequila Casa Dragones attends The French Laundry 25th Anniversary Celebration on July 6th 2019 at The French Laundry in yountville, CA (Photo – Drew Altizer)

Attendees included: Speaker of the United States House of Representatives and Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi and Paul Pelosi, Congressman Mike Thompson, Cecilia Chiang, Carlo Mondavi, Carl Doumani, Maria Manetti Shrem and Jan Shrem, Deborah and Bill Harlan, Chefs Daniel Boulud, Grant Achatz, David Kinch, Jonathan Benno, Gavin Kaysen and Michael Tusk, Adam Tihany, Cindy and Howard Rachofsky, Scott Dadich, Elizabeth and Alan Dye, Phillip Grasso, Walid Sfeir, Nathan Myrvold, Molly Chapelet, David Posner, Chloe Ryan, Andre DeBaubigny, Christine Williams, Frances Beto, Cindy O’Brien, Inez Bargenquast, Luz Cruz and Candace Cameron Bure.
The French Laundry 6640 Washington Street, Yountville, CA, 94599