The Best Chef in the World | Op-Docs

Hi there! I'm Ben Proudfoot, the director and producer of this film. It was a passion project from the very beginning and I'd be very happy to answer any questions you may have!

Thank you for honoring my grandmother in such a beautiful and inspiring way. It was a pleasure working with you all to bring her story to life! We miss her dearly and are so grateful to have these visual memories of her legacy.

"I didn't want to change the world - I wanted to cook". Simple and honest ambition that influenced generations. Thanks Sally for sharing your story. 🥰

"If I were to do a three-star restaurant, I think I probably could do it if I set my mind to it. But it would throw my life out of balance. There’s no way around it. And I value my lifestyle too much to fall into that trap." What an AMAZING woman!!!

Since my parents owned four restaurants, and I grew up in that world, I thought, "Well, this will be an interesting little video". By the time I came to the end of it, I was crying like a baby. This is a beautiful, lovely tribute to Sally Schmitt. Thank you Mr. Proudfoot, we should all try to emulate her kindness and grace.

I ate there 2 days after my youngest was born. To this day, 40 years later. I worked in the wine industry and ate great food, but this has remained the best meal I have ever eaten.

Thank you, Ben, for telling her story in this way. I was so fortunate to take a cooking class with Sally some years ago at her home in Philo, California - the Apple Farm. A small group of us cooked and ate for two and a half days, sitting at a long table lit with candles well into the evenings, sharing stories and laughter, sipping wine. She taught me to toast peppercorns in a heavy skillet, then grind them with a mortar and pestle for the best flavor - something I do to this day. The memories of that entire experience I'll carry with me forever. Such a warm, generous, beautiful person.

Having grown up in Napa, I rememrber going to the Vintage Cafe and the Chutney Kitchen at Vintage 1870 and The French Laundry across the street many times. Now the Vintage 1870 is a literal ghost of what it once was with great shops and The French Laundry is near impossible to get reservations. The locals definitely don't go to these places like they used to. This was a great story to listen to and I am glad it got told.

What a beautifully told story to honor Sally Schmitt and her legacy. She was so brilliant to know how to balance her life and work to actually enjoy her life. She's very inspiring and this is easily one of my favorite docs I've seen in quite a while. I loved the pacing and editing choices and incorporation of foley and sound effects to bring all the visuals fully to life. Well done to all involved! I hope this recieves an award!

This level of storytelling, of letting the storyteller be the focus, the passion of the tale we didn't know about the French Laundry - much like the Atalissa story, this is where the New York Times has shined as of late. This is how you should approach the whole of your journalism - the people in the story are fascinating and interesting on their own.

That was a one-two gut punch. One: My husband always said we'd make it out to The French Laundry, but I lost him in 2020, after 28 years of marriage. Two: The loss of Ms. Schmitt. The film was so beautiful. An amazing tribute!

one of the most beautifully told stories I've ever heard. Rest in peace Sally, you're amazing.

I'll keep this short. My granddaughter was conceived after dinner at French Laundry. My daughter didn't think she could get pregnant ( many tries) ... the menu from that night is on the wall in their home. My sweet grandchild is my joy of life! Their garden and cooking are a way of life!

To be honest, I fought the tears at the end. Sally's life and passion is such an inspiration. Thank you for this.

A sentiment that most of us understand is that those seeking ambition over comfort and community are imbalanced. This is more realistic than everyone trying for a success story - just people living their lives.

“I don’t want to change the world, I just wanted to cook” ah the balance and she yet did it all! Big love!!!

The sparkle in her eyes, the lift of the eyebrow. Life is beautiful and full of choices. We may never know if we took the right path but we can only go by what we know at the time.

She's talking about a time when working class people could afford to make these kinds of choices because inflation wasn't the insane gap that it is today. Truly incredible story and woman. A visionary.

So many women who remain unsung heroes are waiting for their stories to be told. Thank you for telling me Sally’s Story. ❤️

Brava Ms. Schmidt! I wish you were alive so I could send you fan mail. I'm a former professional chef from Southern California and the fact that I've never heard the story of the French Laundry and Yountville with you as a part of it speaks volumes of how the industry still values women and work life balance. So hard to strike and you did it!!! Excellent film @Ben Proudfoot. Kudos to you as well.