This may surprise you, but of all the Michelin-starred restaurants in the world, only about 6% of them are helmed by women. That means if you’re one of these woman chefs on the list, you are a special breed of bad-a**ery. These are the women who continue to break boundaries in food.
Maison Pic
Woman in Charge: Anne-Sophie Pic
Location: Valence, France
Three is a lucky number for the Pic family—three generations of culinary pioneers and three Michelin stars commemorating the lineage of creatives in the kitchen. Chef Anne-Sophie Pic helms the French restaurant Maison Pic; rewind two centuries, and you’ll find the beginnings of the beloved Maison Pic. Her grandfather obtained the restaurant in 1929 and was awarded three Michelin stars in 1934 (one of the first to be awarded by the now-acclaimed guide). Jacques, Anne-Sophie’s father, took over in 1956 and went from aged-out chicken bladder recipes to modernized offerings (like sea bass fillet with caviar), gaining back two stars, which were removed during the war.
When does Anne-Sophie come in? At first, it wasn’t the plan for her to come in; she focused on a business degree, but a change of heart led her to revamp the restaurant in 1997 (at this point, the stars were lost again). After a decade, she worked the restaurant back up to its three Michelin star prestige. Between the cozy lounges, powder pink dining room, a menu that celebrates “unloved” vegetables in ten tasting courses, and a glittering baccarat crystal chandelier, it’s easy to understand the hype.
Sant Pau and Moments
Woman in Charge: Carme Ruscalleda
Location: Sant Pol de Mar, Spain; Barcelona, Spain
Carme Ruscalleda also has cooking in her blood. She came from a family of butchers, and trained to do the same to carry on the family name. However, Ruscalleda wasn’t interested in stopping her involvement in the kitchen once she trimmed the meat. She turned the supermarket butcher-shop duo into a delicatessen, and in 1988, moved across the street to officially begin her restaurant career. The restaurant known as Sant Pau lasted until 2018, holding three Michelin Stars. Don’t worry, Ruscalleda didn’t have a dramatic, career-ending episode to blame — it was a simple redirection. She focused on projects like Moments Restaurant in the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Barcelona. The one-starred Michelin eatery’s open kitchen allows you to see her work her magic. Signature dishes include a caviar, quail egg tart, and, as an ode to her Catalan roots, prawns “in the style of fishermen from Sant Pol.”
Marsan par Hélène Darroze
Woman in Charge: Hélène Darroze
Location: London, UK; Paris, France
Hélène Darroze was born to be a star — or at least to accumulate them. It seems wherever the chef puts her efforts, a star shortly follows suit. It could be that she is the fourth generation of a family of chefs, or that she spent her time working alongside Alain Ducasse at the Louis XV in Monaco. The culmination of experiences and talent led to her opening her own restaurant in Paris. From there, she continued to grow her empire, leading Hélène Darroze at The Connaught in London (three stars), Hélène Darroze at Villa La Coste (one star), and after a revamp, to her Paris location—Marsan par Hélène Darroze, which has two Michelin stars. You can order her signature blue lobster in tandoori spices or the baba dessert. Whatever you order, you will know its origins from a quick menu scan — whether it be the exact fish market, the region from which your sea bass came, or the region of the candied fruit on your plate. Now, Hélène Darroze is in charge of the new “La Grande Table Marocaine” menu in Royal Mansour Marrakech. And we have no doubt another Michelin star is coming.
Atelier Crenn
Woman in Charge: Dominique Crenn
Location: San Francisco, California
You don’t have to travel across seas for this one. Based in California, the dreamy Atelier Crenn is an ode to “poetic culinaria.” Dominique Crenn is the chef and owner of the three Michelin-starred restaurant that marries whimsy and food. The restaurant received its first star in no time, just one year after opening in 2011. Poetry is everywhere, from the plating to the actual poem that is your tasting menu, and the story behind each of the fourteen courses presented by your waiter for an immersive experience beyond food. Chef Pâtissier at Atelier Crenn uses flowers, landscapes, and aromas to hone in on nostalgia and memory. The menu is mainly pescatarian-focused, so you can expect geoduck, sea urchin, sturgeon, and lobster. As for your drink, 60 Champagne labels should do the trick, as you toast the chef and her accomplishment as the first female chef in the US to receive three Michelin Stars.
Core by Clare Smyth
Woman in Charge: Clare Smyth
Location: London, UK
Clare Smyth also has quite a culinary resume. First, to make it from sous chef to head chef at a Gordon Ramsay restaurant? Well, you’ve seen Hell’s Kitchen, so it’s safe to say it’s not easy. She then decided to take her expertise into a kitchen of her own — and in comes Core by Clare Smyth. The fine-dining restaurant emphasizes sustainable British produce, and celebrates its origins. From Merryfied farm duck on her Core Seasons menu, to Morecambe bay shrimps found in the Core Classics, you’ll know where your food comes from. Small touches like fine bone China, silverware, and suited waitstaff add to your fine dining experience. These are the details that got Smyth noticed, and in 2020, she became the first British female chef to acquire three Michelin stars. And, she gets special brownie points for catering the private wedding reception of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.
FAQs
Q: What is Atelier Crenn’s Cancellation Policy?
A: Atelier Crenn reservations are non-refundable, but you can transfer your booking if need be.
Q: Does Moments have a dress code?
A: While there isn’t an official dress code, business casual would be appropriate, because the restaurant is Michelin-starred.
Q: What is the address of Maison Pic?
A: The address of Maison Pic is 285 Av. Victor Hugo, 26000 Valence, France.
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