Erin French is a renowned chef and the owner of The Lost Kitchen, a 40-seat restaurant in Freedom, Maine. Her restaurant has been rated as one of the world’s greatest places by Time Magazine and one of the 12 restaurants worth traveling around the world to experience by Bloomberg. She is also the author of two books, Finding Freedom and The Lost Kitchen Recipes and a Good Life Found in Freedom.
But before she achieved fame and success, Erin French had a tumultuous personal life that involved addiction, divorce, and bankruptcy. In this article, we will explore the story of Erin French first husband, Todd French, and how their relationship influenced her culinary journey.
How Erin French Met Todd French
Erin French grew up in Freedom, Maine, a small town with a population of less than 800 people. She learned to cook at her father’s diner, where she did various tasks such as dishwashing, waiting tables, and frying pancakes. She dreamed of becoming a doctor and moved to Boston to pursue her studies.
However, her plans changed when she became pregnant at the age of 22. She returned to her hometown and married the father of her child, Todd French, in 2006. Todd was a professional boatbuilder who shared Erin’s passion for food. They decided to open their own restaurant and named it The Lost Kitchen.
How The Lost Kitchen Was Born
The Lost Kitchen was first opened in late 2011 out of Erin and Todd’s apartment in Belfast, Maine. They transformed their living room into a dining area and served seasonal dishes made from local ingredients. They had no staff, no menu, and no reservations. They relied on word-of-mouth and social media to attract customers.
The restaurant soon gained popularity and rave reviews from critics and diners alike. Erin was praised for her self-taught culinary skills and her creative use of fresh produce. She was also nominated for the James Beard Award for Best Chef in America in five consecutive years.
How Erin French Lost Everything
Despite the success of The Lost Kitchen, Erin French was struggling with depression and anxiety. She felt overwhelmed by the pressure and expectations of running a restaurant. She also felt trapped in her marriage with Todd, who became controlling and abusive. She turned to alcohol and prescription drugs to cope with her problems.
In 2013, Erin filed for divorce from Todd and left him with the restaurant. She also lost custody of her son, Jaim, who was then 11 years old. She had no money, no home, and no job. She moved into her parents’ cabin and contemplated suicide.
How Erin French Found Freedom
Erin French did not give up on her love for cooking. She started hosting secret suppers and parties at her parents’ barn using an old stove and a makeshift kitchen. She invited people through Facebook and asked them to pay what they could. She called these events The Lost Kitchen Pop-Ups.
She also met a new love interest on an online dating site called match.com. His name was Michael Dutton, a specialist in emerging content and business development strategist. He supported Erin’s vision and encouraged her to pursue her dreams.
In 2014, Erin found an old mill in Freedom that was for sale. She decided to buy it and turn it into her new restaurant. She named it The Lost Kitchen again, but this time it was a symbol of her rebirth and redemption.
How The Lost Kitchen Became A Phenomenon
The Lost Kitchen reopened in 2014 with a new concept and location. It was a 40-seat restaurant that only served dinner four nights a week from May to October. It had an all-female staff and a farm-to-table menu that changed daily depending on what was available from local farmers and fishermen.
The restaurant also had a unique reservation system that involved sending postcards by mail. Every year, Erin received over 20,000 postcards from people who wanted to dine at her restaurant. She randomly selected them through a lottery system and contacted them by phone.
The Lost Kitchen became a phenomenon that attracted people from all over the world. It also became the subject of a documentary film produced by Tastemade and L.L.Bean that won the James Beard Award for Visual Storytelling in 2017.
Erin also wrote two books about her life and recipes: Finding Freedom: A Cook’s Story; Remaking A Life From Scratch in 2021 and The Lost Kitchen Recipes And A Good Life Found In Freedom in 2017. Both books were critically acclaimed and bestsellers.
In 2021, Erin starred in her own television series on Discovery+ called The Lost Kitchen. The show followed her as she ran her restaurant amid the COVID-19 pandemic and showcased her personal stories and culinary creations.
Conclusion
Erin French first husband was Todd French, a boatbuilder who helped her open the first Lost Kitchen in 2011. Their marriage ended in 2013 after years of abuse and addiction. Erin lost everything, including her restaurant, her son, and her self-esteem.
But Erin did not let her past define her. She found a new purpose and a new partner in Michael Dutton, whom she married in 2018. She also found a new home and a new restaurant in Freedom, Maine, where she revived The Lost Kitchen in 2014.
Erin French is an inspiration to many people who have faced challenges and hardships in their lives. She is a testament to the power of resilience, creativity, and passion. She is also a reminder that sometimes, we need to get lost in order to find ourselves.