Dominique Crenn was born in 1965 in Versailles, France. She trained in culinary arts in Paris before working under notable chefs in Indonesia and San Francisco. In 2011, Crenn opened her restaurant Atelier Crenn in San Francisco.
At Atelier Crenn, she pioneered a whimsical, artistic approach she dubbed “poetic culinaria.” Dishes were named in verse like “The Sea as a Mirror” featuring scallop and seaweed.
Under Crenn’s leadership, Atelier Crenn earned its first Michelin star in 2012 and second in 2018 – rare for a female chef at the time. She won the World’s Best Female Chef award in 2016.
In addition to Michelin honors, Crenn appeared on Netflix’s Chef’s Table in 2016. She authored two books, including “Poetic Recipes: A Life in Food & Words.”
Crenn co-founded a non-profit kitchen program supporting underserved youth and championed sustainable practices. She credits feminism as influencing her gender progressive cuisine.
For blending cuisine with poetry and art in pioneering ways, Dominique Crenn cemented her status as one of America’s most creative chef talents. She continues redefining dining experiences from San Francisco.
