Chef change at the French Laundry

Thomas Keller's French Laundry announced this week that Timothy Hollingsworth will succeed Corey Lee as chef de cuisine when Lee departs this summer to open his own restaurant in San Francisco.

In January, Hollingsworth, 29, represented the U.S. at the Bocuse d'Or in Lyon, France, where he placed sixth. Hollingsworth started at the French Laundry as a 21-year-old commis, scaling the kitchen ranks to sous chef. 

Of his promotion, Hollingsworth says: "It’s something that I had been talking about with Thomas and Corey. Thomas is very supportive of a natural evolution and presenting opportunities for his employees. I'm really excited — and excited for Corey. I know he's going to do something great."

Lee is expected to leave the French Laundry in August.

— Betty Hallock

Photo: Timothy Hollingsworth, far right, with Paul Bocuse, far left, Daniel Boulud and Jerome Bocuse, preparing for the Bocuse d'Or.

Credit: Dave Getzschman / For The Times