Here at PopEater, we were thrilled to talk with Thomas Keller, America's top chef and the man behind the country's best restaurant, The French Laundry in Yountville, Calif., about his pop culture obsessions both in and out of the kitchen. We always want to know what makes our idols tick -- especially when they make our mouths water so much.
Keller is a busy man these days, splitting his time between the Laundry, Per Se in New York and six other restaurants and bakeries across the country. He's also preparing to wed his longtime girlfriend, Laura Cunningham, the former general manager of The French Laundry. Even if you haven't had the divine pleasure of eating at one of Keller's restaurants, your mouth has unknowingly watered over one of his creations: Keller was a consultant on Pixar's smash hit 'Ratatouille,' and the film's signature dish is his as well. The celebrated chef takes on our questions below.
To quote Pee-Wee Herman, if you love food so much, why don't you marry it? That is one way of putting it. Early on in my career, I discovered that cooking is not a career but a lifestyle.
What's your favorite food movie of all time? And you can't say 'Ratatouille.'
That's hard. I would prefer favorite movie scenes of all time. The first is 'Godfather III' -- when Andy Garcia was teaching Sofia Coppola how to make gnocchi. And 'Goodfellas,' when Ray Liotta was teaching his brother how to slice garlic with a razor blade to make the tomato sauce.
His Food Has a Strong Effect on People and 'Toons:
Keller's Ratatouille Is Served
What kind of music do you listen to when you're cooking?
Classic rock and roll.
You've appeared on 'Top Chef.' Do you consider yourself a fan? If so, who is the most talented chef to ever come out of the show?
I'm certainly a fan of Tommy Colicchio and everything he does. Unfortunately, I don't watch 'Top Chef' consistently, so I don't know enough to make a comment on who is the most talented chef to ever come out of the show.
Any other food shows on TV that're must-see for you?
No. Unfortunately, I don't watch a lot of TV, and the little TV I watch is unfortunately not food-related. It's usually the news, movies or late-night shows.
Okay, so what's a show that people would be surprised you watch? 'Grey's Anatomy.' I DVR it. 'Desperate Housewives' is another, because of Dana Delaney and Kyle MacLachlan. They are good friends.
Anthony Bourdain Takes You Inside 'The French Laundry,'Course By Course
What kind of snack do you munch on while watching? I usually don't eat, because it's typically after work around one o'clock in the morning when I watch a show. I guess if I did eat while watching TV, popcorn is something that comes to mind.
You are a self-proclaimed fan of some fast food. When was the last time you had some and what was it?
In-n-Out Burger. I eat there probably once a month.
On the flip side of fast food, what's the largest white truffle you've ever bought and how much did it cost?
The largest white truffle we'd ever bought must have been about 250 to 300 grams and was close to $2,000.
And who's playing you in the movie version of your life?
I don't know ... let's check in with a good casting director.
I beg to differ, but who said this fellow is the top chef ? Not me. Why ? Because I challenge him on this. I'm second generation. My dad, Alfred senior, prepared food for Rockefeller, etc. & taught me. I'm also a farmer & I grow special ingredients. Some of my dishes take 3 months from seed bed to table. I special order plants & seeds from all over the world - for example Satsuma Mandarins or Jubilee melons. Alfred-
Al, I have to say that you probably are a great cook. But Thomas has an ability to put flavors together that defies the imagination. He truley has a God given gift that those who have had the blessing of experiencing cannot help but feel as if they have been given a gift. Until you have eaten his creations, it would be best to take our word for it and do everything you can to be one of the fortunate.
Here at PopEater, we were thrilled to talk with Thomas Keller, America's top chef and the man behind the country's best restaurant, The French Laundry in Yountville, Calif., about his pop culture obsessions both in and out of the kitchen. We always want to know what makes our idols tick -- especially when they make our mouths water so much. 
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I beg to differ, but who said this fellow is the top chef ? Not me. Why ? Because I challenge him on this.
I'm second generation. My dad, Alfred senior, prepared food for Rockefeller, etc. & taught me. I'm also a farmer & I grow special ingredients. Some of my dishes take 3 months from seed bed to table. I special order plants & seeds from all over the world - for example Satsuma Mandarins or Jubilee melons. Alfred-
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Oh, god - not Al Schrader again. LOL You are a total joke, guy. Delusional, I suspect.
Who in the Wide Wide World of Sports is Al Schrader?
how many of them french stars does he have?
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GS, he's got three Michelin stars for French Laundry (and we think Per Se too)
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Al, I have to say that you probably are a great cook. But Thomas has an ability to put flavors together that defies the imagination. He truley has a God given gift that those who have had the blessing of experiencing cannot help but feel as if they have been given a gift. Until you have eaten his creations, it would be best to take our word for it and do everything you can to be one of the fortunate.
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My family thinks that I'm the best cook. tee-hee
Thanks family ;0))
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