Episode 15: Dominique Crenn, 3 Michelin Stars Chef at Atelier Crenn

Dominique Crenn is the owner of Atelier Crenn restaurant in San Francisco, and is the only female 3 Michelin Star Chef in the US. In her recent memoir - Rebel Chef: In Search for What Matters - she shares her fascinating life story from French orphanage to the pinnacle of culinary art.  In this interview we discussed Dominique's journey: influence of her parents, challenges she had faced (she didn't have a formal culinary education), building Atelier Crenn, her battle with cancer, and many other things.  01:10 How is Atelier Crenn adapting to COVID? 04:45 Changes COVID will bring to the restaurant industry 08:20 Restaurants move towards healthy choices 10:10 Thoughts on her Memoir 15:00 Adoption & childhood 17:30 Favorite childhood memory 18:40 Mother's teaching 23:45 Young Dominique 24:15 Leaving France 26:00 Jeremiah Tower 30:45 The origin of confidence and how it was applied at Stars 34:17 Nature vs Nurture 37:40 Blending past experiences and starting Atelier Crenn 42:00 Netflix – Chef's Table 44:20 Choosing investor, and balancing art and business 46:30 The role of Michelin Stars 50:02 After achieving everything one could dream of, what drives her now 52:00 French President's dinner and Allen Ducas 55:12 Women in the Restaurant Industry 56:55 Defeating Cancer   59:30 looking for the biological mother 01:00:50 Blitz