Dominique Crenn

Dominique Crenn
Born	(1965-04-07) April 7, 1965 Locronan, France
Occupation(s)	Chef, culinary artist
Known for	First female chef in the US with three Michelin stars for Atelier Crenn

Dominique Crenn (born April 7, 1965) is a French culinary artist and, since 2016, the sole female chef in the United States to possess three Michelin stars for her San Francisco establishment, Atelier Crenn. She has been featured on numerous television shows, including programs on the Food Network.

Early life and education

Hailing originally from Locronan, Crenn was adopted by a couple from Versailles and spent her childhood summers on their family farm located in Brittany. Her mother exposed her to a wide range of Parisian cuisines, while her father—a politician—introduced her to fine dining experiences at Michelin-starred restaurants alongside a food critic. These early influences played a significant role in shaping her culinary vision. Disillusioned by the predominance of men in the French cooking industry, she initially pursued academic qualifications in economics and international business before deciding to enter the culinary field.

Career

In the late 1980s, Crenn relocated to the United States and began her culinary career at San Francisco’s esteemed Stars restaurant under chef Jeremiah Tower. She subsequently gained experience at Campton Place, 2223 Market, and Yoyo Bistro before becoming Indonesia’s first female executive chef at the Intercontinental Hotel in Jakarta. Following the civil unrest in Indonesia in 1998, she left the country and returned to the U.S., where she held executive chef positions at Manhattan Country Club in Los Angeles and Abode Restaurant in Santa Monica.

Joining Luce in San Francisco in 2008, Crenn earned Michelin stars for the restaurant in both 2009 and 2010. She participated in The Next Iron Chef (2010) and secured a victory over Michael Symon on Iron Chef America.

In 2011, she launched Atelier Crenn, becoming the first female chef in America to receive two Michelin stars. The restaurant maintained this two-star distinction through 2014. She was honored with The World's 50 Best Restaurants' Best Female Chef Award in 2016 and featured on Netflix's Chef's Table. Atelier Crenn achieved its third Michelin star in 2018.

Crenn broadened her portfolio with Petit Crenn (2015), inspired by the flavors of Brittany, and Bar Crenn (2018), a wine bar offering small plates that earned a Michelin star within its inaugural year. These additions brought her total Michelin star count to four. In 2018, she also received the James Beard Foundation Award for Best Chef: West.

In cinema, Crenn contributed as a culinary consultant for The Menu, assisting with dish creation for Ralph Fiennes’ character. In 2022, she appeared as an Iron Chef on Netflix's Iron Chef: Quest for an Iron Legend. In 2024, Time magazine recognized her as one of the world’s 100 most influential individuals.

Cooking philosophy

Crenn considers herself an artist who crafts what she terms "poetic culinaria." As described by Katie McLaughlin of The Wall Street Journal, Atelier Crenn presents cuisine that is visually striking, texturally complex, and conceptually innovative—captivating both critics and global audiences alike.

She is also noted for cultivating a supportive work environment, steering clear of the authoritarian management styles often found in professional kitchens. Additionally, Crenn maintains a personal connection with diners by welcoming them directly at their tables.

Personal life

Crenn became engaged to actress Maria Bello in December 2019. The couple wed on May 12, 2024, but Bello initiated divorce proceedings in May 2025.

Bibliography

Nonfiction

• Rebel Chef: In Pursuit of What Truly Matters (Penguin Press, 2020)
• Atelier Crenn: The Evolution of Flavor (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2015)