You might expect a master chef who co-hosts and co-judges a cooking television series to have an elaborate home kitchen, but Ludo Lefebvre has more of a modest French aesthetic.
“It’s not big, but it’s functional,” acknowledges the classically trained culinary star who enjoys cooking in his Encino kitchen.
“I love using my beautiful stove and my microplane grating tools,” he says. “I am obsessed with citrus, and love how well it works with fruits and vegetables.”
One of Lefebvre’s favorite dishes to cook at home is roasted “crispy and juicy” chicken and potatoes. “I love steaming potatoes! I absolutely love to cook for my friends and family.”
For anyone working on sprucing up their kitchen, Lefebvre offers a valuable tip: “Make sure you create enough space to cook and wash dishes, just as if you were in a restaurant.”
After training in France for 12 years with a variety of masterful chefs, Lefebvre came to Los Angeles and was soon awarded the Mobil Travel Guide Five Star Award at two different restaurants, L’Orangerie in 1999 and 2000 and Bastide in 2006. He has been credited with birthing the pop-up restaurant concept and igniting its viability as a business model with his restaurant tour, “LudoBites,” which ran from 2007-2012.
The veteran chef says he’s been having a blast co-hosting/judging his new TBS show, “Rat in the Kitchen.” The series follows a mix of professional chefs and home cooks as they compete in creative cooking challenges for a cash prize.
But there’s a twist: the contestants have to avert the meddling of an undercover “rat,” who is determined to sabotage the dishes and undermine their victory.
“It’s such a fun show; I have loved meeting everyone, giving them advice, and of course, trying out some great food with my co-host, Natasha Leggero. It has been a great experience!” he says.
When the French chef isn’t working on his show, you can find Lefebvre shopping at the local farmers markets, buying fresh vegetables, fish, meat, cheese and chicken.
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This story is part of a collection of stories printed Sunday, May 29, 2022.
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“I like to go with my kids on the weekends, to the markets in Hollywood or Santa Monica. Those places are so cool and so amazing! A lot of good stuff! Last time I went I got zucchini, goat cheese and fish. That’s really where I get my inspiration from. It’s really all about finding the freshest ingredients so you can make great meals.”
Always looking for inspiration, Lefevre still heads back to France once or twice each year. “When I was young I didn’t travel enough, so I really enjoy going to new countries. I love hearing what people like to eat and drink.”
Look out for the veteran chef to open a new restaurant in Los Angeles by the end of the year.