THE FIRST WOMAN IN THE U.S. TO EARN THREE MICHELIN STARS, SOUTH BEACH WINE & FOOD FESTIVAL’S TRIBUTE DINNER HONOREE DOMINIQUE CRENN TRANSFORMS FOOD INTO AN ART FORM WITH PASSION AND PRECISION.
Photo credit: Nicole Dort
Determined to make a living, Crenn found herself in the kitchen of legendary chef Jeremiah Tower, a pioneer of California cuisine. Lacking formal credentials but armed with confidence, she boldly stated, “You need a woman in this kitchen.” Tower, intrigued by her audacity, put her to the test. She proved her skill, igniting a career that would take her through some of San Francisco’s finest kitchens, including Campton Place and 2223 Market.
In 1997, an opportunity took her abroad as the head chef of the Intercontinental Hotel in Jakarta, Indonesia—an unprecedented role for a woman at the time.
However, civil unrest forced her return to the United States, where she soon found her footing again.
At San Francisco’s Luce in 2008, she earned her first Michelin star, an accolade repeated the following year. Yet, an accident that nearly severed an artery forced her to reevaluate her purpose. She realized she wanted complete creative control over her cuisine, leading her to open Atelier Crenn in 2011. The restaurant, an homage to her father’s artistry, quickly made history when Crenn became the first female chef in the U.S. to earn two Michelin stars.
Determined to make a living, Crenn found herself in the kitchen of legendary chef Jeremiah Tower, a pioneer of California cuisine. Lacking formal credentials but armed with confidence, she boldly stated, “You need a woman in this kitchen.” Tower, intrigued by her audacity, put her to the test. She proved her skill, igniting a career that would take her through some of San Francisco’s finest kitchens, including Campton Place and 2223 Market.
In 1997, an opportunity took her abroad as the head chef of the Intercontinental Hotel in Jakarta, Indonesia—an unprecedented role for a woman at the time.
However, civil unrest forced her return to the United States, where she soon found her footing again.
At San Francisco’s Luce in 2008, she earned her first Michelin star, an accolade repeated the following year. Yet, an accident that nearly severed an artery forced her to reevaluate her purpose. She realized she wanted complete creative control over her cuisine, leading her to open Atelier Crenn in 2011. The restaurant, an homage to her father’s artistry, quickly made history when Crenn became the first female chef in the U.S. to earn two Michelin stars.
From that moment, accolades poured in: Best Female Chef by The World’s 50 Best Restaurants in 2016, a James Beard Award in 2018, and the crowning achievement—a third Michelin star later that year.
Her dedication to sustainability also led her to establish Bleu Belle Farm in Sonoma, a five-acre farm regenerating the soil and producing ingredients for her restaurants. “It was meant to be,” she says of the land she shares with her former partner, Katherine Keon, and their twin daughters.
Beyond Atelier Crenn, her impact extends to Bar Crenn, a Michelin-starred cocktail and small plates venue, and the now-closed Petit Crenn, a tribute to her Brittany roots. Through every venture, she embraces her signature philosophy: “Poetic Culinaria.” Her dishes transcend food—they tell stories. A sugar sphere of Kir Breton captures the fleeting magic of apple cider and crème de cassis. Santa Barbara spot prawns arrive with crispy heads filled with ceviche and capers, while Monterey Bay abalone, accompanied by sauerkraut and abalone liver, evokes the complexity of the ocean.
This year, Dominique Crenn is being honored at the SOBEWFF Tribute Dinner, one of the most prestigious events in the culinary world. The annual Tribute Dinner, hailed as the “Oscars of wine and food,” celebrates the industry’s most influential talents. Set against the backdrop of the Loews Miami Beach, the 2025 Tribute Dinner will pay homage to both Crenn and the renowned vintner Gérard Bertrand. Hosted by Master of Ceremonies Marcus Samuelsson and presented by HexClad as part of The New York Times Dinner Series, the evening will be an extraordinary celebration of artistry in both cuisine and wine.
A distinguished lineup of culinary luminaries will join Crenn, including Alain Ducasse, Gastón Acurio, Nancy Silverton, Cat Cora, and Daniela Soto-Innes.
The reception will feature an all-female chef lineup, curated in partnership with the non-profit organization MAPP, which is dedicated to empowering women in hospitality. The evening will feature an exquisite multi-course meal, expertly paired with Gérard Bertrand’s distinguished wines, promising an unparalleled epicurean experience.
Crenn’s impact extends far beyond her kitchen. She is an advocate, an innovator, and above all, an artist shaping the future of food, one plate at a time. As fellow chef Cat Cora notes
