News broke last night that Thomas Keller is engaged to his longtime girlfriend and one-time employee, Laura Cunningham.
Cunningham came to work for Keller when he bought the French Laundry in 1994. She soon became general manager there, and oversaw operations at Keller’s other ventures. And they started dating.
In 2004, the San Francisco Chronicle said the pair “owned fine dining in America,” and credited Cunningham with developing the French Laundry and Per Se’s signature style elegant but laid back of service.
In 2006, Cunningham left Keller’s employ, and according to Food Gal, who broke the news last night, the pair split up as a couple as well. But they seem to have worked things out on the romance front.
Meanwhile, Cunningham is opening a new restaurant in Yountville, near French Laundry, and Keller is working on another branch of Bouchon bakery and bistro. [Via Food Gal]
[Photo: Via San Francisco Sentinel]
