How often do famous chefs actually cook in their restaurants?

Question

I know world renowned chefs (Thomas Keller, Gordon Ramsay, etc) routinely open new restaurants, but how often do they actually work in their own kitchens, if at all? Or even less acclaimed executive chefs?

Answer 1

Not very often they may come in early in the day before they are open and work on some new menu items. By the time the restaurants open if they are there they will over see the kitchen and then go out to the front of the house (the dinning room) and  talking to the guest.

Answer 2

They generally don't. They do the recipe development and set the menu (in some cases they may just approve a menu developed by a chef under them). In places I have worked, the exec. chef helps cook when we are really really busy, but is otherwise busy doing paperwork (orders, inventory, etc.), recipe development, etc.

Answer 3

famous chefs cook in their own restaurants; however, they own multiple establishments.  You are likely to see the chef behind the scenes if you are lucky and choose the correct restaurant.  I've seen wolfgang puck a few times in beverly hills but that's because he happened to choose to cook at that particular restaurant that night.

Answer 4

From what I understand, they do so rarely.  Generally when they do, it is to promote the restaurant or for an interview or other public relations for their career.  

Take Anthony Bordaine - I really doubt he has much time any more with the books, articles and his television show, No Reservations, taking him around the world.

I think their television shows replace their restaurant experiences - and they become the CEO and hire their own executive chefs.