McDonald's Chef: 'I Could Eat a 2,000 Calorie Meal at Thomas Keller's French Laundry'

Daniel Coudreaut, McDonald's senior director of culinary innovation, doesn't "see anything on the [McDonald's] menu that's unhealthy." While on a press trip to Cleveland, Coudreaut answered questions about McDonald's role in the obesity epidemic. Calling for diners to become responsible for moderating their own diets, he added, "I'm sure I could eat a 2,000 calorie meal at Thomas Keller's French Laundry."

That's certainly possible, especially if you include wine. While Keller has said "I don't really think about calories," the Wall Street Journal actually compared the calorie count in a Keller recipe to a McDonald's meal back in 2007. For some reason they decided to represent Keller with a staff meal instead of a menu item? But in any case, Keller's "breast of veal with yellow corn polenta cakes, glazed vegetables and sweet garlic" (1,143 calories) came out of the experiment slightly behind a Big Mac and fries (1,310 calories).

In any case, the tasting menu at the French Laundry will get a little less fattening after California's foie gras ban goes into effect.

· McDonald's Chef Says It's All About Moderation [Akron Beacon Journal]
· All French Laundry overage on Eater [-E-]
· All McDonald's Coverage on Eater [-E-]