ICYMI: Kellergate

Huge drama in fine dining world when SF Chronicle food critic MacKenzie Chung Fegan was (nearly) asked to leave The French Laundry.

ICYMI: Kellergate

Huge drama in fine dining world when SF Chronicle food critic MacKenzie Chung Fegan was (nearly) asked to leave The French Laundry.

https://sfist.com/2025/05/19/chronicle-critic-nearly-gets-booted-from-french-laundry-as-thomas-keller-puts-his-foot-down-about-criticism/

The article in question, didn't want to put it first b/c no Opengraph preview card...

Software Engineer @ Cadence Design Systems. B4: Stanford EE / Illinois ECE

The article in question, didn't want to put it first b/c no Opengraph preview card...
https://www.sfchronicle.com/food/restaurants/article/thomas-keller-french-laundry-20290670.php

Follow on article: "Our restaurant critic was asked to leave the French Laundry. Here’s what readers thought"

https://sf.eater.com/2025/5/19/24433209/san-francisco-chronicle-critic-the-french-laundry-mackenzie-chung-fegan-yountville-thomas-keller

https://sfstandard.com/2025/05/21/thomas-keller-sf-chronicle-food-critic/

I like the SF Standard takeaway above the best:

> My takeaway? The dance between critic and chef has always been just that — a charade at best, or an “ugly ballet,” as my colleague Astrid Kane astutely put it. Understandably, everyone is out for themselves. Sensitive chefs (even 69-year-old world-famous ones) who put their hearts and souls into their restaurants want the attention — but only when it is adoring. In turn, writers are always looking for a story that will turn all eyes on them. Except when it’s a critical eye.

Follow on article: "Our restaurant critic was asked to leave the French Laundry. Here’s what readers thought"
https://www.sfchronicle.com/food/restaurants/article/french-laundry-reader-responses-20336928.php