Women Changing the Culinary Landscape
It’s ironic that historically women have been told their place is in the kitchen, yet when you take a look at therestaurantindustry, it has been long dominated by male chefs. The Culinary Institute of America –– the nation’s foremost culinary school –– was founded in 1946 by two remarkable women, but it was established to train veterans returning from World War II and for a time, did not even allow women to enroll.
There are those who argue that women have shattered many a glass ceiling and the time has come to stop focusing on gender. After all, which male chef has ever been asked how it feels to be a male chef? But the reality is that women are still underrepresented in the culinary realm and here at GAYOT, we want to celebrate these chefs –– who happen to be women –– for the hard culinary work they do.
In this spirit, we have selected11 top female chefs, presented in alphabetical order, from cities acrossAmerica. We salute these women who inspire and empower other women to pursue their dreams in the kitchen and more importantly, to persist on their own terms. Such recognition is especially important during these turbulent times.
1. Dominique Crenn
San Francisco,CA
Chef Dominique Crennutilizes unique presentations and luxurious ingredients (caviar, truffles, etc.) in her creative cuisine atAtelier CrenninSan Francisco. Even the menu is out of the ordinary — it is written in the form of a poem, with each line evoking one of her adventurous dishes.
Another of her restaurants, Petit Crenn, is an “homage to her mother and grandmother’s cooking,” and features cuisine reminiscent of her native Brittany.
Related Content:
• GAYOT’s exclusive video interview with Chef Dominique Crenn
• Chef Crenn’s restaurant is on GAYOT’s Top 40 Restaurants in the U.S.
• Atelier Crenn on GAYOT’s Most Adventurous Restaurants of 2016
2. Renee Erickson
Seattle,WA
Chef Renee Erickson, a Pacific Northwest native, has put her stamp onSeattlewith her fleet of maritime-inspired Seattle establishments.
Each restaurant deftly fills a culinary niche, from local oysters atThe Walrus and the CarpenterorBar Melusineto steak frites atBateauto fresh doughnuts with handmade fillings atGeneral Porpoise. Meanwhile,The Whale Winsofferscomfort food that draws inspiration from England, southern Europe and beyond.
Related Content:
• The Walrus and the Carpenter GAYOT’s Awards
• Bar Melusine GAYOT’s Awards
• The Whale Wins GAYOT’s Awards
3. Suzanne Goin
Chef Suzanne Goinparlayed the valuable knowledge she picked up at Campanile and Chez Panisse intoLucquesinWest Hollywood. Angelenos flocked here for her inspired rustic Mediterranean cuisine with strong California influences.
She and business partnerCaroline Stynehave also graced Los Angeles with popular conceptsa.o.c. and Tavern.
> Suzanne Goin is GAYOT’s 2019 Best Restaurateur.
Related Content:
• a.o.c.GAYOT’s Awards
• Tavern GAYOT’s Awards
4. Stephanie Izard
Stephanie Izardwas the first woman to win “Top Chef” back in season four of the reality TV cooking competition. Since then, she has had one success after another inChicago.
She started off serving oft-surprising, funky fare at, then followed up withLittle Goat Diner, an all-day spot featuring inventive takes on familiar American fare. Now, she’s taking on Chinese cuisine at her latest concept,Duck Duck Goat.
Related Content:
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• Duck Duck Goat GAYOT’s Awards
• Little Goat Diner GAYOT’s Awards
5. Jennifer Jasinski
Chef Jennifer Jasinskiclimbed the culinary ladder at Wolfgang Puck’s restaurant empire before settling down inDenver, where she and business partner Beth Gruitch have had a string of hits.
AtRioja, she adds her own big, bright flavors to the culinary traditions of the Mediterranean.puts an upscale spin on the American gastropub, whileis a sanctuary of pristine seafood.Bistro Vendômeremains a favorite for French comfort food.
Related Content:
• Rioja GAYOT’s Awards
• Bistro Vendôme GAYOT’s Awards
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6. Barbara Lynch
Barbara Lynchis one of the most respected culinary figures inBoston. Foodies seek out her flagship restaurant,No. 9 Park, for her famously rich prune-stuffed gnocchi with seared foie gras and toasted almonds.
She also has a wide range of eateries to her credit, among them are the casual Italian establishmentSportello,The Butcher Shopwine bar,, craft co*cktail barDrinkand fine dining destinationMenton.
Related Content:
• Chef Lynch’s Menton is on GAYOT’s Top 40 Restaurants in the U.S.
• No. 9 ParkGAYOT’s Awards
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• The Butcher Shop GAYOT’s Awards
• Drink GAYOT’s Awards
7. Barbara Pollastrini
Santa Monica, CA
Unlike her fellow chefs on this list, chef Barbara Pollastrini only operates one restaurant, in Santa Monica, California. However, she is one to watch and respect. We have now been following her for a few years, and we can see that she is constantly reinventing her beautiful and tasty culinary creations.
> Pollastrini put Heroic Deli & Wine Bar on GAYOT’s 2019 Best New Restaurants in the U.S.
Related Content:
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8. Anne Quatrano
Chef-ownersAnne Quatranoand Clifford Harrison have been in the upper echelon ofAtlanta’s dining scenefor more than two decades. Their cuisine is driven by organic, locally sourced ingredients, some of which come from the couple’s Summerland Farm near Cartersville north of Atlanta.
Bacchanaliahas movedto a new building about a mile away from its long-tenured home in the Westside Provisions District.Floataway Cafeoffers Mediterranean-inspired fare, whileW.H. Stiles Fish Camppresents seafood and sides of Southern comfort food.
Related Content:
• Bacchanalia’s long list of GAYOT’s Awards
9. Alex Raij
Nearly a decade ago,chef Alex RaijintroducedNew Yorkersto thepleasures of traditional Basque cookingwithTxikito(pronouncedchee-kee-toe),one ofGAYOT’s Best Small Plates Restaurants in the New York area.
Together with her husband, Eder Montero, she also runs sister restaurantsEl Quinto Pinoin Chelsea andLa Vara in Brooklyn.
10. Susan Spicer
New Orleans,LA
Over the course of more than two decades,chef Susan Spicerhas amassed a huge following at herNew Orleansrestaurant,Bayona.
One of the pioneers of the slow food movement, she highlights local ingredients like Louisiana blue crab while weaving in flavors from the Mediterranean, North Africa, Asia and the U.S.
Related Content:
• Bayona GAYOT’s Awards
11. Traci Des Jardins
Chef Traci Des Jardinswas a strong advocate for responsibility and seasonality in cooking long before local, organic and sustainable became buzzwords.
She has since shuttered her fine-dining restaurant Jardinière, but continues to have a strong presence on the San Francisco dining scene.
Related Content:
• GAYOT’s exclusive video interview with Traci Des Jardins
• Public House GAYOT’s Awards
