Thomas Keller to announce shock retirement?

Sad news for Keller fans. Speculation had been rife that the creator of The French Laundry will announce his retirement from all public activities, at age 70, with immediate effect.

UPDATE 11/06/2026 : This story seems to be false. (read more)

Being a chef isn't fun anymore

“As we get older, there are phases of life that we enter into, and being a chef just isn't fun anymore,” he might have said, says a source who remained anonymous. Other reports hinted that he may branch out into other creative fields he is better at (and more interested in), though they didn't provide any details.

#ThankYouThomas

For a little while on Wednesday evening, #ThankYouThomas was a trending hashtag on Twitter. As many fans reminisce and look back on all the unforgettable memories, some may wonder what about now made him make the decision.

“You’ve accomplished everything I ever dreamed of #ThankYouThomas.”
— @DesireePlum, 10 Jun 2026

“Keller wasn't retired?”
— @borisB0, 10 Jun 2026

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