Chef Dominique Crenn
Dominique Crenn grew up in France and inherited her interest in cooking and mushrooms from her parents, who loved haute cuisine. After graduating with a degree in Economics and Business Administration in Paris, Crenn began formal training as a chef in 1988 in San Francisco. She worked for two years at Stars at Jeremiah Tower and Mark Franz, before moving on to Campton Place, 2223 Market, the Park Hyatt Grill, and Yoyo Bistro.
In 1997, Crenn made history by becoming Indonesia's first female executive chef, heading the kitchens of the InterContinental Hotel in Jakarta. She returned to California in 1998 as executive chef of the Manhattan Country Club in Manhattan Beach, a position she held for eight years. She later opened Abode in Santa Monica, but returned to San Francisco to run Luce, where she earned her first Michelin star in 2009.