Chef Dominique Crenn of Atelier Crenn - Biography

Growing up in France, Dominique Crenn inherited an interest in cuisine from her parents, who celebrated fine dining. After earning degrees in economics and business in Paris, Crenn began her formal kitchen training in San Francisco in 1988. For two years she worked at Jeremiah Tower and Mark Franz’s Stars before moving on to Campton Place, 2223 Market, the Park Hyatt Grill, and Yoyo Bistro.

In 1997, Crenn made culinary history as the first female executive chef in Indonesia, heading the kitchen at the InterContinental Hotel in Jakarta. She returned to California in 1998 as executive chef of Manhattan Country Club in Manhattan Beach, a position Crenn held for eight years. She then opened Abode in Santa Monica, but it was Luce that brought her back to San Francisco and where she earned her first Michelin star in 2009.

A poetic combination of craft, heritage, and storytelling, Atelier Crenn debuted in January 2011, quickly earning its first Michelin star and a second by October 2012. Crenn is the first female chef in the United States to receive a second coveted star and has maintained the distinction through 2018. She was named “Best Female Chef” in 2016 by World’s 50 Best.

Fashioned after the food of her childhood in Brittany, Crenn opened Petit Crenn in 2015, followed by Bar Crenn in 2018.