Who are Todd French and Erin French?
Todd French and Erin French are two names that have been making headlines in the culinary world for the past few years. They are the former husband and wife duo who opened the first Lost Kitchen, a popular restaurant in Belfast, Maine, in 2011. However, their marriage and business partnership ended in a bitter divorce in 2013, leaving Erin French homeless, jobless, and without custody of her son. How did this happen? And how did Erin French manage to bounce back and open a new Lost Kitchen in her hometown of Freedom, Maine?
The Beginning of a Dream
Todd French and Erin French met in 2006, when Todd was working as a designer and builder and Erin was a waitress at her parents’ diner in Freedom. They fell in love and got married soon after. Erin had always loved cooking and hosting dinner parties for friends and family, so when they moved to an apartment in Belfast, they decided to turn their living room into a makeshift restaurant. They called it the Lost Kitchen, because it was hidden from the street and only accessible by word of mouth. Erin cooked seasonal dishes using fresh ingredients from local farms, while Todd handled the design and logistics of the space. The Lost Kitchen quickly gained a loyal following and rave reviews from critics and customers alike. In 2012, Erin was invited to host a dinner at the prestigious James Beard House in New York City, a rare honor for a self-taught chef.
The Downfall of a Marriage
However, behind the scenes, things were not as rosy as they seemed. Running a restaurant was a stressful and demanding job, especially for Erin, who struggled with depression and anxiety. She developed an addiction to Xanax and Ambien, prescription drugs that she used to cope with her insomnia and panic attacks. She also felt isolated and unhappy in her marriage, as Todd became more controlling and abusive. He resented her success and fame, and accused her of having affairs with other men. He also took over the finances of the restaurant, leaving Erin in the dark about their debts and expenses.
In 2013, things came to a head when Erin checked into a rehab facility to get sober. While she was away, Todd secretly closed the Lost Kitchen and changed the locks of their apartment. He also filed for divorce and sought full custody of their son Jaim (Erin’s child from a previous relationship), claiming that she was an unfit mother. He took everything from her: her home, her business, her money, and her child.
The Rebirth of a Chef
Erin was devastated by Todd’s betrayal and felt like she had hit rock bottom. She contemplated suicide, but decided to fight for her life instead. She moved back to Freedom and stayed with her parents, who supported her emotionally and financially. She also reconnected with her son, who had been living with his biological father during the divorce proceedings. She slowly regained her confidence and passion for cooking, and started hosting pop-up dinners in an Airstream trailer on her parents’ land.
In 2014, she heard that a retired investment banker had renovated an old gristmill in Freedom and was looking for a tenant for the ground floor. She saw this as an opportunity to start over and open a new Lost Kitchen. She contacted the owner and convinced him to let her rent the space. She transformed it into a cozy and rustic dining room with an open kitchen, where she could cook for up to 40 guests per night.
The new Lost Kitchen opened in July 2014, with a reservation system based on handwritten letters sent by mail. The demand was so high that Erin received thousands of letters from all over the world, requesting a seat at her table. She also received recognition from various media outlets, including The New York Times, Food & Wine Magazine, Martha Stewart Living Magazine, and CBS News Sunday Morning. In 2017, she published her first cookbook, The Lost Kitchen: Recipes and a Good Life Found in Freedom Maine. In 2020, she launched her own TV show on Amazon Prime Video called The Lost Kitchen.
The Present and Future of Todd French and Erin French
Todd French now continues to work as a designer and builder. Unfortunately, we have no idea if he ever remarried. However, we do know that Erin is now happily married to her second husband Michael Dutton. The two met on a dating site in 2017 and got married on August 24, 2018. They have no children together, but Erin is still close with her son Jaim, who is now 18 years old and studying at the University of Maine.
Erin French has also found peace and happiness in her new life. She says that she has learned to appreciate the simple things and to be grateful for what she has. She also says that she has forgiven Todd for what he did to her, and that she wishes him well. She hopes that he has found his own way to heal and move on.
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 love. She is also a talented and passionate chef who has created a unique and successful restaurant that celebrates the beauty and bounty of Maine. She is truly a remarkable woman who has turned her loss into a gain.
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