We salute these chefs on International Women’s Day. They inspire the culinary world every day.
The Hestan Team has worked alongside America’s most acclaimed chefs, and these five women stand among the finest. Their skill and vision have not only raised the bar in the kitchen, but also have redefined what food means to their guests and community. Thank you, chefs! It’s an honor to serve in your kitchen.
Vivian Howard
Chef & the Farmer, Kinston, NC
Chef Vivian Howard proves that big ideas can blossom in small towns. From grits with carrot top pesto to her bassbourride, her menu’s reverence of local ingredients elevates them into stunning new flavors. Her partnerships with local farmers are also helping transition displaced tobacco farmers into food farmers.
Anne Quatrano
Bacchanalia, Atlanta, GA
Over the last 26 years, Bacchanalia has proven to be a ceaseless inspiration for Atlanta’s food scene. Chef Anne Quatrano’s menu evolves nightly throughout the seasons, never failing to astound with four courses of fresh takes on the freshest flavors – most of them harvested from her own farm, Summerland.
Dominique Crenn
Petit Crenn, San Francisco, CA
Photo credit: Myles Kusaba
Inspired by the coastlines and cold waters of both Northern France and Northern California, Chef Dominique Crenn evokes the cooking of her mother and grandmother at Petit Crenn. She lovingly marries her memories of Breton cuisine with the abundance of Bay Area seafood to create sublime new dishes.
Jessica Largey
Simone, Los Angeles, CA
One of the most exciting new restaurants in one of the most exciting food scenes, Chef Jessica Largey’s Simone takes her fine dining pedigree to a thrilling new level. The James Beard Award-winning chef showcases Southern California produce and eclectic flavors with her signature style.
Tracy Chang
PAGU, Cambridge, MA
When Chef Tracy Chang opened Pagu, she set out to open a home away from home for both her and her guests. Having grown up in her grandmother’s Japanese restaurant and having trained at Le Cordon Bleu Paris, her dishes not only strike a rich depth of flavor – but also offer a heartfelt connection to her inspirational nostalgia.
Hestan kitchen in Tracy Chang’s PAGU, Cambridge, MA