Thomas Keller has offered a rare glimpse into his private life after years of keeping his long-term relationship out of the spotlight. The acclaimed chef, known for his focus on excellence and discretion, has quietly built both a personal and professional partnership that spans decades. Now, many are curious to learn about Thomas Keller’s fiancé and how they met.
Here’s what we know about Thomas Keller’s fiancé, their collaboration, and how they have grown together since the early days of The French Laundry.
Who is Thomas Keller engaged to?
Thomas Keller has been engaged to Laura Cunningham since 2008.
A source confirmed their engagement in April 2009 after more than a decade of being together. Keller and Cunningham met in 1994 when he acquired The French Laundry. Cunningham submitted her resume directly to Keller, and he later hired her, sparking a professional and personal relationship that grew over the years. They now share a home in Yountville, California.
What is Laura Cunningham’s job?
Laura Cunningham is the Brand Director of the Thomas Keller Restaurant Group.
She oversees marketing, design, partnerships, and service standards across Keller’s restaurants, including The French Laundry, Per Se, Bouchon, Ad Hoc, and others.
Her responsibilities include branding, hospitality design, training, and creative direction. She helped develop flatware with Christofle for Per Se and trained servers with a New York City Ballet alum. She’s described as the “aesthetic police” of the company and is active in both operational planning and creative oversight.
Thomas Keller and Laura Cunningham’s relationship history
Thomas Keller and Laura Cunningham met in 1994 when Keller took over The French Laundry. Cunningham brought her resume to Keller’s door even after he told her there were no openings. Weeks later, Keller hired her for a special project, and she quickly rose to assistant manager and then general manager.
They began dating during the early days of The French Laundry and became engaged in 2008. After briefly splitting in 2006, they reunited and continued their partnership. They live together in a renovated Victorian carriage house in Napa Valley and operate their winemaking venture, Modicum, which they launched in 2000.
