Dominique Crenn, new juror of Top Chef: “It’s an iconic show”

The three-star chef joins the M6 ​​competition, the 15th season of which begins this Wednesday.

Three-star chef Dominique Crenn will finally be part of the jury for the new “Top Chef” season which starts Wednesday March 13 at 9:10 p.m. on M6. Still orchestrated by Stéphane Rotenberg, the culinary program begins its 15th season from the Château de Ferrières, in Seine-et-Marne.

This season will offer forays into magical places like the Grandes Écuries de Chantilly, as well as something new this year: the 16 candidates will still have to compete in new tests, extreme conditions and challenge great chefs such as Guy Savoy, but they will be divided into two brigades “chiefs against chiefs”. The first will be led by the three chefs Paul Pairet, Philippe Etchebest and Glenn Viel and the second by the three chefs Dominique Crenn, Hélène Darroze and Stéphanie Le Quellec (winner of the second season of “Top Chef” and now double starred).

A “bridge” with the new generation

Dominique Crenn had already made a few appearances in the culinary competition which she describes as“iconic”. She finally decided to join him: “It was interesting to work with Hélène Darroze, Stéphanie Le Quellec, Paul Pairet, Glenn Viel and Philippe Etchebest, a pretty incredible team. It was an honor. This show allows you to have contact with the new generation, to be the bridge with the new generation, but also to be inspired, personally.”

The transmission of knowledge and know-how is a leitmotif for the chef who trained alone through meetings and outstretched hands and who confides that even if she now has her own restaurants and is known, she does not rest on her laurels: ” I learn every day with great humility“especially since she does not hide the fact that there is “talent in this competition”.

The face to face between the two brigades “chefs against chefs” is a situation which suits Dominique Crenn who confides that between women, “maybe we understand each other better.” : “We perhaps approach things differently and then we understand each other, too, because we are mothers. We listen better. I think Philippe, Paul and Glenn have a different approach. They bark a lot, especially Philippe! “

The one nicknamed the rebel leader because of her background and her atypical look, made of cap and tattoos, stands out in this sometimes quite formal environment. But she fully embraces her differences, notably in an autobiography, Memoirs of a rebel leader (Le Cherche-Midi), in which, beyond telling his extraordinary path, Dominique Crenn invites you to simply be yourself. For her, “iYou have to say things as they are and you have to break things and codes a little, sometimes. You have to put yourself forward and you shouldn’t be afraid to talk about who you are“.