Chef Jacques Pepin opens up about new cookbook and memories made throughout lengthy career

Jacques Pepin has been cooking for more than 70 years. He was the personal chef to three French prime ministers before he turned down President Kennedy to work at Howard Johnson's. He's been elevating the way Americans have been cooking and eating ever since, including over the last year as his short online videos made during the pandemic became a sensation. Jeff Glor sat down with Pepin at his home in Connecticut, where at age 85 he seems to be busier than ever.
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[@theinterestsofalexcimelli9323]

The way he spoke to his dog in French was the most heart-warming thing in the world

[@bukowskibabe]

The man is a treasure. Protect him at all cost.

[@aldomeow]

At the rate we’re going… Until he gets metoo’d 😂

[@Marss13z]

Well, he's not a kid, so...

[@mauritiusdunfagel9473]

I like him because he doesn’t curse and shout and abuse his staff. And he really knows how to cook.

[@nadineskye7050]

Whenever I need to feel centered, to escape from the world, I watch one of Jacque's cooking shows. He is just so warm, humble, kind, human. I immediately feel at peace when I hear his wonderful soft voice. He even inspired me to learn how to cook :). If you read this, Jacque, you are loved and I hope you are in good health. Much love!

[@StacyK0731]

I totally agree with you Nadine, he can give me some peace at the end of a really rough day, I love watching his video's, I've learned so much from him. I taught my grandson "Salad A La Creme" He is a real treasure that I adore.

[@issacsinha]

I had been worried about him, since he stopped uploading those videos after the sad demise of his wife. But now looking at this video, which is 3 weeks old, and knowing that he is still going at it with his garden, books, cooking and dog, I am having a sense of relief. It's such a sight to watch Mr. Jacques Pepin.

[@marycad1160]

I'm happy to know Mr. Pepin is doing well after losing his beloved Gloria. He is a National treasure.

[@MichaelMcATX]

This. I was worried about him

[@cindyd.5507]

Spoken like a true French man "maybe sex" too funny. He spent a life time filming cooking shows and I watched them all my all time favorite celebrity I can not get enough .

[@reneemoreno8030]

I grew up watching him and Julia...for at least 58 years. I became a caterer and love to cook and bake. I started early in life like Crepe Suzettes at 8. Cooking has been my life.

[@dianemilligan3839]

Mr. Pepin is one person I would love to have lunch with.

[@TheKat1959]

That would be amazing indeed 🌎❤️😊

[@susanjoseph236]

Me too

[@JohnAckerman93]

Same here

[@OhSankYouDoktor]

He really is such a lovely man and the best of all the living celebrity chefs. Strange there was no mention of his wife's death, but perhaps it was too hard for him to talk about. A lot of men would shrivel up and not want to do anything after losing a partner of so many decades but he is obviously determined to remain active and relevant. Very admirable.

[@gynandroidhead]

He did mention it indirectly at the end of the interview

[@JohnAckerman93]

The one thing I like about him is that he’s not cooking for the fame and fortune like most celebrity chefs do. He cooks because he wants to. He wants to show us new ideas for meals, and at the same time teaches techniques to help in the kitchen

[@ARIZJOE]

Pépin retains an agile mind, and he frequently throws together things he has laying around. That comes from years of dealing with different ingredients. And he tries to use things before they waste.

[@happycat3399]

@@ARIZJOEmy sister is the same way, she can open up any fridge or cupboard and pull out ingredients and make the most delicious meals!!

[@donholmes4476]

My Grandfather was Chef for the railroad with French roots like Jacques!! He reminds me of Pepin so much, its like I'm with Grandpa in the kitchen again!!! mom would take me to his house every Saturday and he taught me so much about cooking and to this day I can cook for 20 people and serve it hot in 15 minutes any meal breakfast lunch or dinner!

[@LarryDoolittle]

Great interview of a national treasure.

[@janethouckanderson265]

This man was a delight all through lock-down and beyond.

[@7rays]

I’ve spent a lifetime watching him and I am richer for it

[@GetMurcD]

What he said about the experience and food at the family table transcending sustenance is 100% true.

[@wesleyburke7514]

So true. Nothing makes me happier then cooking and remembering my mother

[@yummboy2]

I remember vividly watching Jacques and Julia on TV. Apple Charlotte was the dish and the two of them disagreed on the amount of butter to use. It was hilarious, entertaining and heart-warming. I shall never forget watching those two together. Each in their own right are indeed iconic.

[@Lughnerson]

Now I will Google search for Apple Charlotte. Yes, Jacques and Julia really did something to improve our lives just being themselves.

[@valentinelott9133]

Truly a lovely man that I've had the honor and pleasure of meeting. Wishing him many, many more years of "happy cooking"!

[@patysays9510]

Well done interview. Here is a man who lives life and loves life to the full.. his wife passed away in December but he continues to live and enjoy life. Thats the way it was meant to be. Love you jaques

[@theoriginalbridgetconnors]

Love, love, LOVE Jacques Pepin! I remember one show of his where he was teaching knife skills. I could literally watch him all day slicing food.

[@margaretkadlecek6300]

I have followed Jacques Pépin since enjoying a cooking class with him in Houston in the late 70s. He is everything good and I treasure the memory of him so many years ago, before he was famous. I have eaten at the The French Culinary Institute in NYC when he was at the helm and bought most of his cookbooks. His cooking style has influenced the way I cook,, combined with what I learned from my father who also a wonderful cook--- in my hometown of New Orleans. Love his art as well.

[@worldcitizeng6507]

So glad to see Jacques looking well and full of passion. I have always look forward to his weekly short video, always learn some new tricks in the kitchen, and found out that I have peel my asparagus the wrong way all my life! Jacques is the only chef who said he uses the microwave for short cut, his short weekly videos made the pandemic a little brighter. I binge watched his 3 hours long Le Techniques.

[@TheKat1959]

A international treasure indeed. Have been a fan for decades. Many blessings upon you Chef Pepin. Many blessings upon all who read this. It warmed my heart to read so many kind words. He truly spreads joy through cooking. Everyone please have a blessed day today and every day 🌎❤️😊

[@janeforever]

What a wonderful interview by Jeff. PBS isn't the same without Jacques & Julia together - thank goodness for those old shows they replay. Will have to check out Jacques' new "mini" videos. Again kudos to Jeff for a fantastic piece.

[@Lughnerson]

Right. I watch JC & JP cooking at home and it is like a warm bath, so comforting.

[@josephpanozzo4815]

Chef Pepin is a treasure and an inspiration.

[@myhappynest6125]

My favorites are the Jacques and Julia PBS shows. Gave me many hours of enjoyment 😊

[@Rakyr]

I could listen to him all of the time. A lot of Frenchmen I have known have been very stuck up and uptight but this man is so warm and kind, you can just tell in his interviews.

[@laurieschuster]

No words for how much I adore this man.

[@enthusiast1]

Lovely... of course a great cook... but add his persistent zest for life, his sense of humor, frankness are all together quite beautiful, inspirational. Thank you Jacques Pépin! ❤

[@rasat4829]

I watched this guy on tv about twenty something years ago when I first came to this country and was very impressed and knew he was going to become a legend.

[@julieenslow5915]

Here's the part you may not realize: he was already famous in France by his 20's to 30's. He's in his 80's now, so that was 20-30 years before you came here. His legend just keeps growing!

[@rasat4829]

@@julieenslow5915 Well, I didn't anything about cooking and about chiefs but seeing him a few times then on tv I knew he was great.

[@julieenslow5915]

@@rasat4829 You are so correct! Chefs love to watch him, and I am assured by the two I know that they learn something in everything he does. He shares his knowledge so easily that beginner home cooks can learn, and professional chefs learn too. He is not secretive with his knowledge, he shares it with everyone, thereby raising the level of competence for all of us. What a gem!

[@centashe]

I love watching him cook, and hear him tell stories from earlier times. Such a beautiful soul!!

[@PlannedObsolescence]

Gaston the dog is so precious!

[@reedwells7180]

What Wonderful Memories He Gives Us

[@CJ-ph6zk]

I recently read where your wife passed away. My sympathy goes out to you. I recently moved from Seattle to Spain and am in the process of moving to southern France. So nice to see you also do not let age determine your abilities. Good luck in your new journey of one. It does get better over time.

[@mas3ymd]

Jacques Pepin is really a wonderful human being. We are so lucky to be living in his time of influence on what we eat. And his sense of humor…. amazing!!

[@DSmith-gs4tr]

I love that he was speaking French to his dog in the garden

[@Tortilla.Reform]

I had a feeling this would be one of the most consistently wholesome and respectful comments sections and it definitely is, thanks for your energy jacques and how you influence others

[@ProctorsGamble]

Yet still there are 20 thumbs down I think maybe that’s a KZbin default to help the algorithms lol

[@Tortilla.Reform]

@@ProctorsGamble yea I always wondered how people could thumbs down things like this, then I noticed myself accidentally doing it when I wasn’t paying attention. Same way I’ve unsaved songs I love in Spotify lol

[@rearea6409]

Watched him for years, Love from Mississippi

[@caling98]

Back in the day, I love watching PBS on Saturdays. It was back to back cooking shows.

[@amapolaoxytocin1432]

This segment triggered so many beautiful thoughts from waaayy back when, when I was just a young girl! Jacques and Julia Child in the kitchen together preparing gorgeous food was So intriguing to me that i damn near *Demanded* that my family allow me to start cooking on my own at the age of 8 or 9!! Lol I've been cooking ever since!! I'm 38 now and I've been teaching my own 17yr old daughter the kitchen skills ever since she was 5yr old!!! Jacques Pepin has inspired SOOOO MANY Generations Around the world!! I am FOREVER GRATEFUL

[@davidridgway4705]

I just love him! I have learn so much from him!

[@RueMontagu]

I love Jacques Pepin

[@JohnAckerman93]

Who doesn’t? He is such an amazing treasure. He is full of ideas and techniques to make cooking easy, and fun for everyone

[@katieallison5257]

i met Jacque Pepin at the Aspen Food and Wine event 35 years ago. i was my first and i had the pleasure of sitting next to him. what a treat....he was so friendly. BTW we were both watching Julie Childs cook on stage

[@maryenos91]

Go Jacques..love it...He is such a sweetheart and down to earth....

[@ultimatesportsmedicine4395]

Always loved him since I was little, glad he's still around!!

[@harrymann5523]

Still better than anyone on Food Network

[@melindadouglas1673]

I watched his short videos all last year during the pandemic and loved his charm and the joy he had sharing his knowledge about cooking. He is a treasure!

[@bobcharlie2337]

I learned my egg cooking skills from this guy. 😋 I too love runny eggs.

[@I.amthatrealJuan]

Jacques Pepin - The Wholesome Chef

[@catherinelandry7838]

God Bless Chef....you are loved by many❤

[@donyee8970]

His love of food, sense of humor is part of his joie de vivre. If you have get a chance to read his biography, he lived through history and he's influential on how Americans eat.

[@sahej6939]

What’s it called?

[@karenkaren3189]

He is a lovely man and a great chef.

[@billbubnis3128]

This man is the reason I love to cook. Merci beau coup Chef!

[@sandralong1181]

luv luv Jacque!! good Health & long life to him..........

[@jonsmiths6192]

It’s gonna be a very dark day when his time comes. But, at least he’ll be reunited with his love Gloria.

[@ARIZJOE]

Thank you for showing more of Jack's home. It's ideal. Nice and made for comfortable living. Chef Pépin deserves it. France's greatest gift to America after the Statue of Liberty.

[@Nerophiliac]

Excellent interview!

[@LisaLGruman]

The chef is funny! Can’t wait to check out his pandemic KZbin videos!

[@audreyjan520]

I LOVE this man! What else can I say? 😉

[@mjfisher1199]

He had me at "Happy Cooking" when he began his PBS series in '82. My dad and I always used to sit and watch so intently. He has been satisfying my ravenous hunger all these years.

[@chrisandersen5635]

Peace and to you and your loved ones and your dearly departed Gloria. Love you all.

[@almathees3839]

Well said” Sir Jacques Pepin!!”

[@jeffatuofl]

I have learned so much from Chef Pepín over the years. He truly a treasure.

[@holgate1970]

I suspect there are many life lessons to be learned from this gentleman besides cooking and art. Notice he does not live in a huge house, yet he has the means to afford one. He was happily married to his wife (rip) for 50+ years, in which they met on the ski slope & had similar interests. Probably one can go on and on the more you learn about his values/lifestyle.

[@bsanchez45]

Nothing but ❤️❤️❤️❤️ for this man.

[@msPaulaA1]

This man is such an inspiration for my cooking style. I have learned so much. I am grateful for every tip, trick, and flavor

[@Colinupham]

Always such a gracious man.

[@SharonCarbine]

Chef Pepin, love you!!! Have always enjoyed your TV shows. In this video, it was a delightful surprise to learn you are a stellar artist in addition to being a superb chef and renowned cookbook author.

[@gregjohnson720]

The man is a genius and is without a doubt the best omelete chef in the world. As many people know the universal test for a new chef or cook applicant is still making him or her cook an omelete. His omelete video recipe should be in the Smithsonian Museum. He could have stayed in France and have become a Michelin three-star chef for decades and maybe even the only four-star in the world. A chef, an artist, a brilliant writer a pétanque champ. Mon Dieu!

[@mschrief]

I've had a crush on him for decades. I'll wait for him :)

[@JohnAckerman93]

I just enjoy watching Jacques cook. You can really tell he is just dedicated to cooking, and coming up with new recipes, and techniques to make cooking fun and easier for everyone. I also have a memory of watching him and Julia Child every weekend on PBS. There was a show called Julia and Jacques cooking at home. It was a marvelous show with great recipes and techniques. Him and Julia were a great pair in the kitchen. We love you Jacques

[@pnwperson]

i watch Jacques on some random station called CREATE, he is magnificent!!!!❤❤❤❤ He has the best spirit!!!!

[@susanjoseph236]

Always loved to watch Jacques

[@christinatolar4155]

I grew up watching Julia and Jacques on PBS. I wasn't interested in cartoons like other kids my age. His cooking shows on KZbin helped me survive quarantine.

[@pliskinn0089]

Absolute master of his craft.

[@susanr5546]

I praise him so much. I have learned so much from him. Who knew I was cooking eggs wrong for a very long time:) Admirable, smart and funny!

[@taritabonita22]

Love watching his videos. It’s comforting in so many ways 😋 ❤️

[@alejandroavalos6527]

I made a hotel reservation for this guy at a local Marriott. Never knew he was so famous lol. I even took the picture of it

[@COJAZZ3]

Just discovered his and Julia Child's show today on Tubi and it's amazing! He's amazingly talented and interesting to watch. He's such a treasure!

[@marilynsnider8183]

I will love him till the day I day. He's an amazing chef.

[@mjkreu]

Who else but America lures The World's Finest French Chef to live here. He obviously loves it here...

[@whitemailprivilege2830]

Murica

[@thetinkercook5430]

I love Jacques! Simply a beautiful soul

[@debbiee7850]

we LOVE Chef Jacques

[@rachelwyatt9529]

Jacques Pepin should live to be 200 years old. He looks amazing and still very handsome at 85. He taught me how to cook.

[@omegasage777]

He was always a joy to watch on the TV :)

[@alexperassolo3310]

2 handfuls of frozen pineapple and one banana. Blend. Gourmet egg Sandwich Ingredients: Olive oil Mushrooms Spinach Bacon 2 eggs 1 turkey slice 1 cheese slice. Mayonnaise Mustard Jalapenos (optional) 2 slices of bread Butter Cook spinach and mushrooms with oil put them on a plate Cook 2 eggs over easy and put them on a plate Then cook one piece of sliced turkey put it on a plate Then cook two slices of bacon or however many you would like in a pan and put it on a plate Get two slices of bread ready and spread mayonnaise on one side and put a slice of cheese on top Build all of the cooked items onto the cheese slice and then put some mustard on top and add cooked jalapenos if you want and then put the other slice of bread on top and then grill the sandwich slowly on low-medium heat. Be sure to butter the bread also For best results use a double-sided frying pan and egg rings. For an added surprise ingredient you can add some sliced avocado wedges.

[@afolsom685]

Gotta love Jacques.

[@jakerson181]

In an era where it takes so little to be viewed as a celebrity chef, he remains a culinary legend and a giant of the industry. And thanks to him and after many failures, I learned to make his soft french omelette which is now the only omelette I will eat.

[@annarounseville1392]

Lovely. Thank you.

[@deefrazier3539]

Love this guy. Great videos. Anyone can make his recipes.

[@uriahfiiya]

6:52 the sound of geese flying overhead

[@dddddadadad1796]

Awww! Love him!!!!

[@m.theresa1385]

Thank you Chef Jacques , I use many of your recipes. Eggs Jeanette is a favorite . Very much looking forward to your new cookbook.

[@TheMaverick-zo5kv]

The interviewer seems the type of guy who just picks up a frozen microwave dinner on his way home from work, the way his table manners is like a teenager. 🤣

[@lisabeesims2212]

We adore our Chef Pepin

[@dianefaw8210]

Love, love to watch his videos

[@eatmoremusic3650]

As chef, best living icon we have.

[@wesleyburke7514]

Really enjoyed the short KZbin videos of him

[@rodwilliams6655]

If I could meet anyone I wanted, he is the one.

[@scottlink183]

He is a remarkable gentleman.

[@MrSunlander]

Jeff sure walked into it at the end. Jacques it a devout and faithful bon vivant. Salut, Chef!