Kendall students and faculty were recently treated to a truly special event here on campus, when Chef Thomas Keller and the Michelin Guide director Jean-Luc Naret stopped by for an inspirational Q & A session on September 24. Moderated by Dean Christopher Koetke, they discussed the Michelin Guide’s arrival in Chicago (results will be announced on November 17), and what it means to be a Michelin-rated restaurant.

Chef Keller, the only American-born chef with multiple restaurants to receive multiple Michelin stars, touched on how the culinary industry has progressed through the years and how modern chefs must wear many different hats, not just toques. He reminisced about when he received the infamous call from Jean-Luc the night before the Michelin Guide came out telling him the good news – that his restaurant would be included.

Jean-Luc Naret, the sixth director in the Guide’s history, talked about the inspection process and criteria for judging restaurants. He also advised the future chefs in the audience, “Don’t work for critics; work for yourselves.”

So which Chicago chefs will receive the call the night before the Guide comes out? Time will tell!

Click here to read more about this event.