The Difference Between French And American Food, According To Dominique Crenn
France and America share a long-lived and unique connection. According to the U.S. Embassy and Consulates in France, Frenchmen fought alongside U.S. soldiers when the American colonies battled for independence from British rule in the 1770s. France even provided economic assistance, ensuring the American War of Independence's successful outcome. France was also one of the first countries to recognize the new nation of America as free and independent from the British crown.
According to The U.S. State Department, the two allies have supported each other ever since with "parallel policies on most political, economic, and security issues." French and American culture might have much in common, but some notable similarities define each country, with one being food. Americans might love french fries and other imports, but when it comes down to cooking culture overall, Dominique Crenn believes the two countries differ markedly (via Foodsided). This talent behind San Francisco's famed Atelier Crenn and recent "MasterChef: Legends" judge laid bare the differences she sees between the two cultures' cuisines that range between how chefs handle recipes, all the way to how citizens of each country prefer to enjoy their food.
A French approach to food
Chef Dominique Crenn is inarguably one of the foremost experts on French cuisine. Growing up just outside of Paris, she inherited a love of fine dining from her adoptive parents (via StarChefs). After studying economics and business, Crenn decamped to San Francisco and a life of cooking in 1988. She worked under then-popular chefs including Jeremiah Tower and opened her luxe French dining experience Atelier Crenn in 2011, eventually earning three Michelin stars (via Michelin).
Many think of French food as more intricate than American food due to the region's reliance on fine technique and staple sauces, such as the ones Julia Child popularized in her day (via Kitchen Stories). As Crenn recently stated in an interview with Foodsided, the differences between French and American cooking really come down to philosophy.
"The French have a different approach to food," Crenn said. "It's about appreciating our ingredients and their source." According to The New York Times, Americans have been known to rush through meals in front of a television, computer, or phone screen, while the French still value sitting around the table with loved ones. "Mealtimes are not rushed, they are savored and seen as opportunities to connect with family and friends," Crenn continued. "These are the values of our culture, and it speaks through our food." This laid-back way of eating couldn't sound more delightful and gets anyone ready to cook up a pot of beef bourguignon, invite over some friends, and disconnect the wifi.