From her home just outside San Francisco, chef Dominique Crenn gave us the scoop on how to transform a simple meal for friends and family into an inimitable, welcoming experience.
Dominique Crenn is the first female chef in the United States to receive three Michelin stars—earned by her San Francisco restaurant Atelier Crenn, which she opened in 2011. She went on to launch Petit Crenn, a bistro focused on Breton cuisine, and Bar Crenn, a 1930s Paris-inspired salon. Needless to say, she knows a thing or two about entertaining, and these are her guidelines for cooking for guests.
Dominique Crenn in her home just outside San Francisco.
Photo by Carlos Chavarria
Tell us about your kitchen at home. What does it look like?
Dominique Crenn: I live in a condo outside of San Francisco, in a town called Larkspur, near a marine area. When I was designing my home, I wanted the focus to be the light coming into the space from the water. So I tried to think in a very "less is more" way, thinking instead of this kitchen being a space where I can be more engaged in craftsmanship than I am at work.
It’s compact, and all of my appliances are arranged up against a wall. There’s a big, steel counter in between the formal kitchen space and the living room, which I can use both for prepping and for entertaining. The color scheme is gray with stainless steel finishes. I also have a marble table that I can seat people at for dinner or make pasta on. It’s great.
Photo by Carlos Chavarria
Do you like to have guests over at home to cook?
DC: Always.
When you have people over, how do you usually go about planning a menu?
DC: I think it really depends on what's available, what’s seasonal, who my guests are, first of all. I don't go crazy with the menu. I try to craft a menu that is very welcoming. I like to make vegetables and seafood, and I love to make pasta. The other night I had people over, and I just made a roast chicken the way my mother used to do it, with roasted potatoes, a little salad on the side, and that’s it. And a lot of wine.
Photo by Carlos Chavarria
See the full story on Dwell.com: Michelin-Starred Chef Dominique Crenn Shares the Secrets of Effortless Hosting
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