The Best Chef in the World

The French Laundry, run by legendary chef Thomas Keller, has often been recognized as the best restaurant in the world, but few know the story of its original founder, Sally Schmitt. In an emotional final interview before her passing in March 2022, Sally tells her own story as a pioneering chef of California cuisine and sets the table for another way to look at life: where balance, rather than recognition, is the ultimate prize.

These videos were made while Whimsy founder Sam Vladimirsky was a full-time creative marketing director at the Academy Award®-winning Breakwater Studios, where he directed this New York Times Op-Doc’s Oscars®campaign, built social strategy, and edited teasers. The film was directed and produced by Ben Proudfoot. Poster design by Midnight Marauder.