$300,000 Worth of Wine Stolen in Enviable Rob Job
Thomas Keller's French Laundry restaurant suffered a Christmas day wine robbery—certainly, the worst kind of robbery either a three-star Michelin rated restaurant or any old wine fan could suffer.
The Los Angeles Times reports the thieves took 76 rare and collectible bottles worth a combined $300,000, many worth around $15,000 each. Thomas Keller posted about the robbery on Twitter:
On Christmas day @_TFL_ was the victim of a robbery. Specific wines of specific value were stolen: DRC & Screaming Eagle (1/3)
— Thomas Keller (@Chef_Keller) December 30, 2014
We have complete trust in the authorities leading the investigation & welcome any information our community may have (2/3)
— Thomas Keller (@Chef_Keller) December 30, 2014
We are confident that if/when any stolen bottles appear in public they will immediately raise red flags. Email: media@tkrg.com w/info (3/3)
— Thomas Keller (@Chef_Keller) December 30, 2014
The chef released a statement this morning, noting that the restaurant will continue with its kitchen remodel as scheduled, which, according to the Times, will keep the French Laundry closed for about six months:
"We are working with local law enforcement in this ongoing investigation and appreciate any information the community may have that could help us identify the offenders. We look forward to rebuilding our cellar and moving forward with The French Laundry's kitchen remodel."
Good luck to Thomas Keller and the French Laundry, I hope they regain their stolen property soon.
Though, I'm not sure why he didn't just call wine-1-1.
