Photo: Deborah Jones Image 1 of / 12 Caption Close

Image 2 of 12 The outside of the temporary kitchen. The outside of the temporary kitchen.

Image 3 of 12 The kitchen was constructed from four shipping containers, and the old kitchen was reproduced in them. The kitchen was constructed from four shipping containers, and the old kitchen was reproduced in them.

Image 4 of 12 Keller looking at the computer renderings of the new kitchen under construction from the breezeway between the dining room and temporary kitchen. Keller looking at the computer renderings of the new kitchen under construction from the breezeway between the dining room and temporary kitchen. Photo: Deborah Jones

Image 5 of 12 Flashback to the shipping containers being delivered at the French laundry Flashback to the shipping containers being delivered at the French laundry Photo: Oscar De La Villa Jr.

Image 6 of 12 The containers being hoisted into place. The containers being hoisted into place. Photo: Oscar De La Villa Jr.

Image 7 of 12 Setting down the containers on the temporary foundation. Setting down the containers on the temporary foundation. Photo: Oscar De La Villa Jr.

Image 8 of 12 Another view of the containers being placed. Another view of the containers being placed. Photo: Oscar De La Villa Jr.

Image 9 of 12 The shell of the containers. The shell of the containers. Photo: Oscar De La Villa Jr.

Image 10 of 12 Thomas Keller in the French Laundry Kitchen last year. The temporary kitchen has the same layout as the original one. Thomas Keller in the French Laundry Kitchen last year. The temporary kitchen has the same layout as the original one. Photo: Russell Yip / The Chronicle

Image 11 of 12 The exterior of the French Laundry last week. The dining room was unchanged, even though the restaurant is reopening after a 3-month closure to build a temporary kitchen. The exterior of the French Laundry last week. The dining room was unchanged, even though the restaurant is reopening after a 3-month closure to build a temporary kitchen.