The Texas Hill Country continues to attract some major star power to the Lone Star State – Michelin Stars, to be exact.
Waldorf Astoria Texas Hill Country and Hilton have officially announced a “culinary collaboration” and partnership with lauded California chef and James Beard Award winner, Dominique Crenn. Crenn will head up the signature restaurant at the storied hotel brand’s luxury Fredericksburg resort when it opens in 2027.
The culinary icon holds a number of honors and titles, both internationally and from within the United States, as a World’s 50 Best Icon, a TIME 100 honoree and the first female chef in the U.S. to earn all three Michelin stars.
Crenn’s addition to Waldorf Astoria’s pool of talent underscores a wave of growth in Fredericksburg’s dining scene. Though long-thought of solely as a winery town and drinking destination, the city, which currently has no Michelin Stars, is quietly becoming Texas’ next culinary powerhouse.
Turbot Mousseline. (John Troxell/©John Troxell)
Oyster & Turnip. (john troxell/©John Troxell)
The award-winning chef’s signature restaurant, The Crenn, aims to be a destination of its own, blending together her commitment to artistry and storytelling. According to a news release from the Hilton brand, Crenn’s menu will be “rooted” in French techniques, with locally sourced ingredients, serving premium seafood and meats in her signature avant-garde style. Expect private dining rooms, stunning bars and giant terrace views.
“This collaboration is a chance to celebrate the land, the people, and the seasons through a new lens – one that’s deeply personal, rooted in nature, and elevated by imagination,” Crenn said in the release. “I’m honored to bring this vision to life in Fredericksburg.”
Exterior of Waldorf Astoria signature restaurant. (© 2025 Hilton)
If you’ve never tasted Crenn’s work, you’ve almost certainly had the chance to see it on screen. The French-born culinary icon appeared in Netflix’s popular docu-series Chef’s Table, and also took on the role of Chief Technical Consultant on the critically acclaimed 2022 film, The Menu.
Chef Crenn also has a handful of other sophisticated projects that bring together art, fashion and food, including the upscale Café Dior by Dominique Crenn in Dallas, a unique partnership with luxury fashion label Christian Dior. Her inspired San Francisco restaurant, Atelier Crenn, was recently ranked No. 46 on the lauded North America’s 50 Best Restaurants list.
Waldorf Astoria Texas Hill Country will be the brands first concept in the Lone Star State. As Fredericksburg continues to see new live-walk-play style retail projects anchored by boutique hotels, it will likely standout as a crown jewel of resort stay options. Plans for the hotel include 60 hotel rooms, 37 villas, and 50 private residences along a 106-acre property.
This article originally published at One of the world’s best chefs is joining Texas’ ultimate luxury hotel.