KCET Goes Inside One of America's Top Kitchens for 'Master Chef: Thomas Keller Uncorked' Sept 21 at 8:30 PM

KCET GOES INSIDE ONE OF AMERICA'S TOP KITCHENS FOR 'MASTER CHEF: THOMAS KELLER UNCORKED' SEPT 21 AT 8:30 PM

An Intimate Portrait on the Culinary Rise of Michelin-Awarded Chef Thomas Keller with SoCal Connected Correspondent Michael Okwu

Special Presentation to Feature Exclusive Behind-the-scenes Footage of Keller's Esteemed Restaurants, including Bouchon Bistro in Beverly Hills and The French Laundry in Napa Valley

Los Angeles - September 13, 2011 - KCET, the nation's largest independent public television station serving Southern and Central California, goes inside one of America's top kitchens for "Master Chef: Thomas Keller Uncorked: A Special Presentation of SoCal Connected" airing September 21, 2011 at 8:30 p.m.

Chronicling the culinary rise of Thomas Keller, SoCal Connected correspondent Michael Okwu travels from Beverly Hills to Napa Valley to uncover the recipe for success for one of the world's most celebrated chefs. Throughout the journey, Okwu interviews Keller's colleagues and intimates, samples more than a dozen courses at his landmark restaurant, The French Laundry and goes inside KCET's Uncorked! event at Bouchon Bistro in Beverly Hills this past June, which celebrated the station's independence and raised more than $300,000 for future program development.

Renowned for his exceptionally high professional standards, Keller began his culinary career at a young age, working in the Palm Beach restaurant managed by his mother. Today, he is the only American-born chef to hold multiple three-star ratings by the Michelin Guide. His emphasis on tiny courses, coupled with French technique to both high and low cuisine, has created a new style of American dining. In March 2011, French President Nicolas Sarkozy designated Chef Thomas Keller a Chevalier of The French Legion of Honor, making him just the third American culinary figure to be so honored.

"Chef Thomas Keller raised the bar in the culinary world and we're excited to give viewers an exclusive glimpse into his extraordinary personal and professional life," said Bret Marcus, Executive Producer for SoCal Connected and Chief Content Officer for KCET.

"Master Chef: Thomas Keller Uncorked" airs at a time when viewers' appetite for food and cooking-driven shows has grown to an all-time high with programs catering to every taste.

Marcus added: "As consumers are bombarded by a plethora of 'celebrity chefs' on the air at any given time, it's nice to be able to share Chef Keller's artistry and innovative approach to fine cuisine."

Keller currently has eight restaurants and two bakeries in the United States, including his home-style restaurant Ad Hoc located in Yountville, Calif., as well as Per Se and Bouchon Bakery in New York City, and outposts of Bouchon and Bouchon Bakery in Las Vegas. He is the author of the award-winning "The French Laundry" and "Bouchon" cookbooks, as well as "Under Pressure," on sous vide cooking. His most recent release is a book of family-style recipes titled "Ad Hoc at Home." In 2001, Keller was named "America's Best Chef" by Time Magazine. In 2003, Johnson & Wales University conferred upon him the honorary Degree of Doctor of Culinary Arts for his contributions to the industry. His accolades include consecutive "Best Chef" awards from the James Beard Foundation and "Chef of the Year" by the Culinary Institute of America (CIA).

For more information on "Master Chef: Thomas Keller Uncorked: A Special Presentation of SoCal Connected," and to view a preview of this episode, visit kcet.org.

Additional airdates include:

Fri, Sept 23, 2011 at 8:30 p.m.

Sat, Sept 24, 2011 at 6 p.m.

Sun, Sept 25, 2011 at 6:30 p.m.

"Master Chef: Thomas Keller Uncorked" was generously funded in part by CB Richard Ellis (CBRE).

About SoCal Connected

SoCal Connected, KCET's hard-hitting weekly news program, covers the economy, healthcare, the environment and local issues. Winner of the Peabody Award, 11 Emmys, 15 Golden Mikes, including Best News Public Affairs Show, 20 Los Angeles Press Club awards for journalism, recipient of the Edward R. Murrow Award for Best News Documentary, and Los Angeles Magazine's "Best New Local TV Program" of 2009, SoCal Connected airs Wednesday (8:30 - 9:00 p.m.), Fridays (8:30 - 9:00 p.m.), Saturdays (6:00 - 6:30 p.m.), and Sundays (6:30 - 7:00 p.m.) exclusively on KCET. For more information, to view episodes online or to post comments, please visit www.kcet.org/socal.

SoCal Connected is made possible through the generous support of The Ahmanson Foundation, serving the Los Angeles community since 1952; The California Endowment; Jim and Anne Rothenberg; Maddocks-Brown Foundation; The Elizabeth Hofert-Dailey Trust; The John Randolph Haynes & Dora Haynes Foundation; The City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs, UCLA and U.S. Bank.

About KCET

On-air, online and in the community, KCET plays a vital role in the cultural and educational enrichment of Southern and Central California. KCET currently produces the Emmy®, duPont-Columbia and Peabody Award-winning SoCal Connected, a hard-hitting prime-time weekly television news program that examines the issues and people of Southern California. Throughout its 47-year history, KCET has won hundreds of major awards for its local and regional news and public affairs programming, its national drama and documentary productions, its quality educational family and children's programs, its outreach and community services and its website, kcet.org. KCET is a donor-supported community institution. More than half of the funds raised to support KCET's operating budget come from individual support. For additional information about KCET productions, Web-exclusive content, programming schedules and community events, please visit kcet.org.

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