My grandmother was kind, but she knew what she wanted and she wasn’t afraid to give a command. When, eventually, I ran my own kitchen, I realized I had a leadership model reaching back into my earliest memories. Dominique Crenn Read Quote
My parents believed in the importance of education, but beyond that they were pretty relaxed. My brother and I weren’t expected to become lawyers or doctors. As long as we were settled and happy, we could do what we liked. Dominique Crenn Read Quote
I loved school, although I got bored very easily. I liked literature. I loved philosophy. I didn’t like math. I was good at English. I didn’t like German. I was good at sports and continued to compete on all sorts of teams. Dominique Crenn Read Quote
Early in my career, I was told I shouldn’t try to work in a kitchen, that I should consider serving or managing instead. It was a sad narrative that was given to me, and it came from a society that didn’t know better. Dominique Crenn Read Quote
When I interview people that want to work with us, I often disregard their resume, because a piece of paper, it doesn’t tell me really who they are. I’m looking for honesty, vulnerability. I’m looking for strength, I’m looking for weakness. I’m looking also for someone that wants to learn and is excited about learning. Dominique Crenn Read Quote
As a young girl, being a chef did not cross my mind – I wanted to conquer the world. I wanted to play with my brother and the boys. I wanted to be a famous photographer. Dominique Crenn Read Quote
I never doubted myself when I opened my first restaurant. You’ve got to give 100% of yourself until you know you’ve done it. But it was still a struggle. Dominique Crenn Read Quote
My dad’s best friend was a food writer and critic, so I was very lucky to eat in beautiful Michelin-starred restaurants growing up. Dominique Crenn Read Quote
I’ve met a lot of people who were resistant to my ideas, because they were afraid to get into unfamiliar conversations. I didn’t listen to them. Dominique Crenn Read Quote
Like I say, Michelin is Michelin. It’s nice people are recognized, but at the end of the day, the star doesn’t define you, it’s what you do with it, and it’s what you do in life in general. I think it helps you with the business, but it doesn’t help you as a person. Dominique Crenn Read Quote
