“When you acknowledge as you must, that there is no such thing as perfect food, only the idea of it, then the real purpose of striving toward perfection becomes clear: to make people happy. That’s what cooking is all about.” - Thomas Keller
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HONORS & ACCOLADES
2021-1998
Personal Honors
2021
Michelin Guide, Mentor Chef Award
Culinary Institute of America, Honorary Degree of Doctor of Culinary Arts
International Foodservice Manufacturers Association, Silver Plate Award
2020
Les 100 Chefs, #55
Induction into the MenuMasters Hall of Fame
2019
Maîtres Cuisiniers de France, Medal of Honor
2018
Induction into the California Hall of Fame, 12th class
Induction into the Académie Culinaire de France
2017
Homeboy Industries, Lo Máximo Kindship Award
2016
International Restaurant & Foodservice Show of New York, Torch Award
2015
Relais & Chateaux, "Grand Chef,” annually since 1998
2014
Robb Report, Culinary Masters
Bacchus, Lifetime Achievement Award
Food & Wine, Best New Chefs – All-Stars
2013
TK Day at the CIA – Hyde Park
2012
San Pellegrino "World's 50 Best Restaurants," Lifetime Achievement Award
2011
Chevalier of the Legion d’Honneur
2010
Culinary Institute of America, Board of Trustees
2008
Bocuse d’Or USA Foundation, President
2007
Culinary Institute of America, Chef of the Year
2003
Johnson & Wales University, Honorary Degree
of Doctor of Culinary Arts
1998
Ordre des Compagnons du Beaujolais
NOTABLE AWARDS
2015-2010
2015
Le Liste
Top 10 Restaurants in the World, #2 (Per Se)
L'Art et Maniere
Outstanding Service in the World (Per Se)
Le Chef
Chef de l'Annee (Per Se)
The Michelin Guide
3 Stars, The French Laundry, annually since 2007
3 Stars, Per Se, annually since 2006
Forbes Travel Guide (formerly Mobil)
5-Star Award
The French Laundry, annually since 1999
Per Se, annually since 2005
American Automobile Association
“Five Diamond Award” annually since 2005
(The French Laundry)
Wine Spectator
Grand Award (Per Se)
Grand Award, annually since 2006
(The French Laundry)
Award of Excellence, annually since 2007 (Bouchon)
San Pellegrino
“The World’s 50 Best Restaurants,” Ranked #40 and #50 globally
(Per Se and The French Laundry, respectively)
San Francisco Chronicle
Top 100 Bay Area Restaurants annually, since 1999, 2000, 2008
(The French Laundry, Bouchon, Ad Hoc, respectively)
Gayot.com
Top 40 Restaurants in the U.S., annually since 2010
(The French Laundry and Per Se)
2014
Food & Wine
World's Top 10 Life-Changing Restaurants
(The French Laundry)
2013
The Daily Meal
101 Best Restaurants in America, ranked #1
(The French Laundry)
2012
The New York Times
Best Sellers List (Bouchon Bakery Cookbook)
The Daily Meal
101 Best Restaurants in America, ranked #5 and #7
(The French Laundry and Per Se, respectively)
Las Vegas Sun
“50 Must-Eat Las Vegas Meals” (Bouchon at The Venetian)
Automobile Club of Southern California
Four Diamond Rating (Bouchon Beverly Hills)
2011
The New York Times
Four-Star Rating (Per Se)
James Beard Foundation
Outstanding Service Award (Per Se)
Bloomberg News
3.5 out of 4 Stars for The French Laundry at Harrods
The Daily Telegraph
9.9 out of 10 Review of The French Laundry at Harrods
(the highest rating ever bestowed by the publication)
Restaurant Magazine
“The World’s 50 Best Restaurants,” Ranked #10 (Per Se)
Zagat Guide to the Bay Area
Top 10 “Most Popular Restaurant in the Bay Area”
annually, since 2007 (The French Laundry)
The Daily Meal
101 Best Restaurants in America, ranked #1 and #2
(The French Laundry and Per Se, respectively)
Vegas Seven Magazine
Restaurant Awards: Best Breakfast
(Bouchon at The Venetian)
What’s On Magazine
Top 3 Brunch Spots (Bouchon at The Venetian)
2010
Wine Spectator
Best of Award of Excellence (Bouchon at The Venetian)
Restaurant Magazine
“The World’s 50 Best Restaurants,” Ranked #10 and #32 globally
(Per Se and The French Laundry, respectively)
Zagat Guide Las Vegas
“Most Popular” (Bouchon at The Venetian)
Opinionated About Dining
“30 Most Important Restaurants in the United States,”
ranked #2 (Per Se)
Los Angeles Times
3-Star Rating (Bouchon Beverly Hills)
Los Angeles Magazine
“Top 10 Best New Restaurants,” ranked #5
(Bouchon Beverly Hills)
Gayot.com
“Hot 10 Los Angeles Restaurants”
(Bouchon Beverly Hills)
2009-2000
2009
San Francisco Chronicle
Four-Star Rating
Featured in “Top 100 Bay Area Restaurants”
annually, since 1999
(The French Laundry)
Restaurant Magazine
“The World’s 50 Best Restaurants,” Ranked #6 and #12 globally
(Per Se and The French Laundry, respectively)
Amazon
“Best Books of 2009: Editor’s ‘Top 10 in Cookbooks,’”
ranked #2 ("Ad Hoc at Home" cookbook)
Eat Me Daily
“Best Cookbooks of 2009” – Best Design Award
("Ad Hoc at Home" cookbook)
Epicurious
“Best of the Year: Editor’s Selections,” ranked #4
("Ad Hoc at Home" cookbook)
Publisher’s Weekly
“Best of Overall Books 2009,” ranked #1
("Ad Hoc at Home" cookbook)
Forbes.com
"Top 10 Restaurant Values in the World” (ad hoc)
2008
Restaurant Magazine
Named “Best in the Americas” annually, since 2003
(The French Laundry)
“The World’s 50 Best Restaurants,” Ranked #5 and #6 globally
(The French Laundry and Per Se, respectively)
Details Magazine
“Best Breakfasts in America” (Bouchon at The Venetian)
Las Vegas Review Journal
Best of Las Vegas: Reader’s Pick: Best Gourmet Restaurant
(Bouchon at The Venetian)
Zagat Guide to the Bay Area
“Top 10 Wine Country Restaurants for Food,”
ranked #5 (Ad Hoc)
Gayot.com
Top 40 Restaurants in the U.S.
(The French Laundry and Per Se)
2007
Academy Awards
“Ratatouille” Wins “Best Animated Feature Film”
Golden Globe
“Ratatouille” Wins “Best Animated Feature Film”
Restaurant Magazine
“The World’s 50 Best Restaurants”, Ranked #4 and #9 globally
(The French Laundry and Per Se, respectively)
James Beard Foundation
“Outstanding Restaurateur”
The Culinary Institute of America
“Chef of the Year”
Time Out New York
“Eat Out Award,” Winner: Best Splurge (Per Se)
Robb Report
“Best of the Best” (Ad Hoc)
Food & Wine
One of “25 Tasty Places to Try in 2007” (Ad Hoc)
Gayot.com
Top 40 Restaurants in the U.S. (Per Se)
2006
Academie Internationale de la
Gastronomie De L'Art de la Cuisine
“Grand Prix Award”
James Beard Foundation
“Outstanding Restaurant” Award
Restaurant Magazine
“The World’s 50 Best Restaurants,” Ranked #4 globally
(The French Laundry)
Saveur Magazine
Named one of 100 “Favorite Restaurants, Food,
Drink, People, Places and Things”
(Bouchon at The Venetian)
Gayot.com
Top 40 Restaurants in the U.S.
(The French Laundry)
2005
Restaurant Magazine
“The World’s 50 Best Restaurants,” Ranked #3 globally
(The French Laundry)
Annual Epicurean Award (First-ever Quadruple Award Recipient)
(Bouchon at The Venetian)
Best French Restaurant
Best New Restaurant on The Strip
Best Restaurant on The Strip
Best Restaurant
Las Vegas Life Magazine
"Best Breakfast Spot” (Bouchon at The Venetian)
Gayot.com
Top 40 Restaurants in the U.S. (The French Laundry)
2004
Readers’ Digest
“Best Chef”
Restaurant Magazine
“The World’s 50 Best Restaurants,” Ranked #1 globally
(The French Laundry)
2003
James Beard Foundation
“Best Service Award” (The French Laundry)
Restaurant Magazine
“The World’s 50 Best Restaurants,” Ranked #1 globally
(The French Laundry)
2002
Restaurant Magazine
"The World’s 50 Best Restaurants,” Ranked #3 globally
(The French Laundry)
Zagat Guide to the Bay Area
Voted #1 for “Top Food” Category annually, since 1998
(The French Laundry)
2001
James Beard Foundation
“Outstanding Wine Service” Award
(The French Laundry)
Time Magazine
“America’s Best Chef”
Wedgwood Award
“World Master of Culinary Arts”
Food Arts
January / February Silver Spoon Award
(The French Laundry)
2000
James Beard Foundation
Inductee, "Who's Who in Food & Beverage"
Food & Wine
Voted “Favorite Restaurant in the U.S.”
(The French Laundry)
Wine Spectator
“Top Restaurant for Food”
(The French Laundry)
1999-1990
1999
Bon Appétit
"Chef of the Year”
Gourmet
Ranked #1 in “America’s Top Tables,
Northern California Wine Country” annually, sine 1997
(The French Laundry)
Nation's Restaurant News
Inductee, Fine Dining Hall of Fame
Versailles Cookbook Award
(The French Laundry Cookbook)
IACP
“Cookbook of the Year” Award
(The French Laundry Cookbook)
Julia Child “First Cookbook”
Design Award (The French Laundry Cookbook)
1998
James Beard Foundation
“Best Graphics” Award
USA Today
Voted “Best Meal” (The French Laundry)
1997
James Beard Foundation
“Outstanding Chef: America”
Robert Mondavi
Culinary Award of Excellence
San Francisco Focus Magazine
“Best Chef”
1996
James Beard Foundation
“Best American Chef: California”
1995
James Beard Foundation
Nominee, “Best Newcomer”
Nominee, “Best Restaurant: California” (The French Laundry)
1994
Wine Spectator
Named one of “The Country’s Best Restaurants” (The French Laundry)
Esquire
Named one of “Best New Restaurants of 1994”
(The French Laundry)
Food & Wine
“Best New Chefs”