Videoconferencing French Laundry

Though The French Laundry and Per Se are very different in decor, they offer similar menus, and often exchange staff. Each also has a videoconferencing system installed in its main kitchen area that shows the other restaurant's kitchen.

This is designed so that kitchen staff in both restaurants can see what the others are working on, and so they can greet each other, something that makes sense, given that staff often move back and forth between the two restaurants.

Each system consists of a large screen and a camera, and each screen shows both kitchens at once.

The California staff likes to use the videoconferencing system to taunt its New York City colleagues with the fresh vegetables from The French Laundry's large outdoor garden and greenhouse.

A behind-the-scenes story on the technology and gear of The French Laundry and Per Se can be found here.

Click here to check out the entire Road Trip 2010 package.

July 9, 2010 4:00 AM PDT

Photo by: Daniel Terdiman/CNET

| Caption by: Daniel Terdiman