Julie Chen, Living the Dream

(CBS)  This week, the "Early Show" anchors are trading in their microphones to try out their skills in their dream jobs.

Julie Chen kicks off this segment by testing her skills in a fancy kitchen at the famous restaurant, The French Laundry.

Erica Hill's Life on the Fast Track
Dave Price's Dream Job on the Rails
Harry Smith, the Ranch Hand

Nestled away in Yountville, Calif., in the heart of Napa's wine country, The French Laundry has been named "World's Best Restaurant" twice by Restaurant Magazine since it opened its doors 16 years ago.

Chen, who has a love of the culinary arts, was fortunate enough to try her skills in the kitchen alongside the restaurant's founder and master chef, Thomas Keller.

The restaurant only uses the best ingredients, which come from its own vegetable garden across the street.

"It's like finding a treasure," said Keller, as he picks the freshest potatoes.

Chen also met his staff of at least a dozen highly-skilled chefs and assistants who share the space in the kitchen, all of whom are sticklers for excellence.

But before she rolled up her sleeves, Keller insisted she experience the final product. Chen was fortunate enough to try Keller's famous Cornet, a complicated appetizer made from salmon tartar, sweet red onions, and creme fraiche in a crispy cone.

The appetizer was followed by a summer salad with vinegar sauce, then Atlantic striped bass and an Elysian Fields Farm lamb rib-eye. Dessert was a Keller special doughnut found only at The French Laundry.

As Chen began chopping and stirring after her gourmet meal, she asked Keller what it takes to get hired at his restaurant.

"That's a good question," said Keller. "The thing that I look for the most is a strong desire, and determination. I think if somebody has a strong desire and determination, they can do anything."

Though Chen had both of those qualifications, in the end, her Cornet was not up to par in French Laundry standards. Jokingly, Keller found Chen the only job she was fully qualified for at the world's best restaurant: the dish washer.

All week long, you'll see the anchors performing their dream jobs. But we want to hear from you! If there's a job you've always dreamed of having, tell us what it is and why via email, Facebook or Twitter…...and we just might make that dream come true.

[Tlynnrob]

I would love to be a background vocalist. I love music (Gospel, Soul, R&B, Neo-Soul,Jazz, Pop, Rock, etc) and I love to sing.....but when I go to a live concert, I am very impressed with the vocal abilities of an artist's "back up." In my opinion, strong background vocalists make the featured artist sound even better. I know that there is more to it than just stepping on the stage for a show, but I would like to see what the process requires.

[sklabunde]

My dream job would be to be a shoe designer or shoe buyer or to test shoes or anything with shoes!!!!

[4stooges]

I'm a animal lover, I've always wanted to work at a zoo.

[kaysei]

Although I love to cook and especially bake, my dream job would be a Food Critic. I would really love to be like Guy Fieri (on the Food Network) traveling the country visiting different Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. I get so excited seeing him visit some of these places and wish that I would get an opportunity at a chance like that. What would be better than traveling and eating good food!!

[humbyrd]

My dream would be a pastry chef since my passion is baking.

[rostermueller]

My dream job since I was a little girl has been to be on a soap opera. I remember watching a couple soaps like Young and The Restless at my sitters house when I was little. With no experience, not even in a highschool play, I don't know if I could do it but I always thought it would be fun to be on set and try once.

[JPD10601]

Ever since I was a teen and caught my first glimpse of a Playboy magazine, I've thought that being a photographer for Playboy would be the ultimate dream job.

[galleryguy19971]

I can come up with many dream jobs, but off the top of my head (and in no particular order of preference):

1) The person who issues the lottery winnings
2) Gadget/Technology Tester
3) Hotel/Resort/Vacation critic (or secret quality examiner)
4) Owner of an oceanfront B&B (where, I could still be a gadget/technology tester!)
5) The person who gets to grant wishes to terminally ill people

[sandrae56]

My dream job would be working in a zoo with the big cats...they are such beautiful animals and always my favorites.

[jangiulo1]

I submitted this as an email yesterday and would also like to submit it as a comment.

?I would like to express my strong yearning to work as a food guru for the Food Network, a reality show, or create a gourmet diabetic magazine based in New York City. As a Type 1 diabetic, I would like to work with a gourmet chef and a nutritionist to create 5 star meals for diabetics that resemble non-diabetic meals either on TV or for a magazine. Despite lacking a formal education at a culinary school or having a degree in nutrition, I have been told I am a great cook and very knowledgeable about the Glycemic Index. FOOD just enthralls me. I live, breathe, and I love talking about it.
I have a strong desire and would like to help other diabetics enjoy 5 star gourmet meals without any health risks or guilt. After becoming successful as a food guru, I also would not mind opening a restaurant that will give diabetics the feeling of gourmet dining that will please their palates as well as non-diabetic patrons.?