Fredericksburg, Texas, October 25, 2025
News Summary
Chef Dominique Crenn, the first female chef in the U.S. to earn three Michelin stars, will helm a new signature restaurant at the upcoming Waldorf Astoria Texas Hill Country in Fredericksburg, Texas. Set to open in 2027, the restaurant will focus on seafood and meats, highlighting local Texas ingredients. The resort will also feature various dining options to elevate Fredericksburg’s culinary scene, known for its wineries, aiming to add high-end culinary experiences to the region.
Fredericksburg, Texas — Chef Dominique Crenn, renowned for being the first female chef in the U.S. to earn three Michelin stars, will develop and oversee the signature restaurant at the upcoming Waldorf Astoria Texas Hill Country.
Key details
The Waldorf Astoria Texas Hill Country is set to open in Fredericksburg, Texas, in 2027. Crenn’s new restaurant will be located on the second floor of the Waldorf Astoria and will feature a mix of seafood and “meats,” though the specific types of meats have not yet been identified. The menu is expected to include avant-garde dishes along with Crenn’s signature emphasis on artistic culinary presentation.
Resort features and scale
The Waldorf Astoria Texas Hill Country resort is planned to have 60 hotel rooms, 37 resort villas, and 50 residences set on a 106-acre property less than a mile from Fredericksburg’s downtown. The resort will be the first Waldorf Astoria in Texas and will include five food and beverage concepts, including an all-day restaurant, specialty restaurant, bar and lounge, pool bar, and a grab-and-go juice bar.
Local focus and culinary approach
Chef Crenn aims to celebrate local ingredients and culinary traditions, working closely with regional farmers to incorporate Texas-sourced products into her menu. Crenn’s existing restaurant, Atelier Crenn, has garnered acclaim for its focus on vegetables and seafood, with a limited selection of chicken dishes and a recently added beef filet.
Regional impact
Fredericksburg is traditionally known for its wineries, but the addition of high-end dining establishments aims to enhance its reputation as a culinary hotspot. Fredericksburg has not yet received any Michelin Stars, but Chef Crenn’s participation could change that.
Project leadership and development context
Mark Harmon, the developer of Waldorf Astoria Texas Hill Country, said the project aims to further elevate Fredericksburg’s identity as a leading wine and culinary destination. Dino Michael, senior vice president and category head of luxury brands at Hilton, emphasized that the resort will reflect the spirit of Texas Hill Country and advance luxury dining. The development of the Waldorf Astoria Texas Hill Country represents a strategic expansion by Hilton in the region, capitalizing on the town’s growing recognition in the luxury dining sphere.
Chef Dominique Crenn’s recent and concurrent projects
Crenn previously led the culinary program at Café Dior, a dining room located inside a Dior store in Highland Park Village, Dallas. Crenn is also involved in high-profile projects, including the Café Dior in Dallas and Monsieur Dior by Dominique Crenn, which is set to open inside Dior’s flagship store in Beverly Hills.
What to expect at the signature restaurant
The signature restaurant will aim to blend Crenn’s established style—emphasis on vegetables, seafood and artistic presentation—with local Texas products and traditions. The slot on the second floor positions the venue as a destination within the resort’s five food and beverage concepts, intended to serve resort guests and regional diners seeking elevated, artistically presented cuisine.
Timeline and next steps
Construction and development milestones are expected to continue through the coming years ahead of the resort’s opening in 2027. Specific menu rollouts, staffing details, and the full list of meats intended for the signature restaurant have not yet been released.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who will develop and oversee the signature restaurant at the Waldorf Astoria Texas Hill Country?
Chef Dominique Crenn, renowned for being the first female chef in the U.S. to earn three Michelin stars, will develop and oversee the signature restaurant at the upcoming Waldorf Astoria Texas Hill Country.
When will the Waldorf Astoria Texas Hill Country open?
The Waldorf Astoria Texas Hill Country is set to open in Fredericksburg, Texas, in 2027.
Where will Crenn’s new restaurant be located within the resort and what will it feature?
Crenn’s new restaurant will be located on the second floor of the Waldorf Astoria and will feature a mix of seafood and “meats,” though the specific types of meats have not yet been identified.
What kind of food and presentation will the menu include?
The menu is expected to include avant-garde dishes along with Crenn’s signature emphasis on artistic culinary presentation.
What is the resort’s planned size and accommodation mix?
The Waldorf Astoria Texas Hill Country resort is planned to have 60 hotel rooms, 37 resort villas, and 50 residences set on a 106-acre property less than a mile from Fredericksburg’s downtown.
Will this be the first Waldorf Astoria location in Texas?
The resort will be the first Waldorf Astoria in Texas and will include five food and beverage concepts, including an all-day restaurant, specialty restaurant, bar and lounge, pool bar, and a grab-and-go juice bar.
How will the project affect Fredericksburg’s culinary reputation?
Fredericksburg is traditionally known for its wineries, but the addition of high-end dining establishments aims to enhance its reputation as a culinary hotspot.
Has Fredericksburg received any Michelin Stars?
Fredericksburg has not yet received any Michelin Stars, but Chef Crenn’s participation could change that.
What local engagement is planned for sourcing ingredients?
Chef Crenn aims to celebrate local ingredients and culinary traditions, working closely with regional farmers to incorporate Texas-sourced products into her menu.
What recent projects has Crenn been involved with?
Crenn previously led the culinary program at Café Dior, a dining room located inside a Dior store in Highland Park Village, Dallas. Crenn is also involved in high-profile projects, including the Café Dior in Dallas and Monsieur Dior by Dominique Crenn, which is set to open inside Dior’s flagship store in Beverly Hills.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Opening date | The Waldorf Astoria Texas Hill Country is set to open in Fredericksburg, Texas, in 2027. |
| Location | Fredericksburg, Texas — less than a mile from Fredericksburg’s downtown on a 106-acre property. |
| Chef | Chef Dominique Crenn, renowned for being the first female chef in the U.S. to earn three Michelin stars. |
| Signature restaurant | Located on the second floor; will feature a mix of seafood and “meats.” |
| Resort accommodations | 60 hotel rooms, 37 resort villas, and 50 residences. |
| Food & beverage concepts | Five concepts: an all-day restaurant, specialty restaurant, bar and lounge, pool bar, and a grab-and-go juice bar. |
| Menu focus | Avant-garde dishes and artistic presentation with Texas-sourced ingredients. |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- Texas Monthly: Chef Dominique Crenn at Waldorf Astoria Fredericksburg
- Wikipedia: Dominique Crenn
- Hilton Stories: Waldorf Astoria Texas Hill Country Announces Chef Dominique Crenn
- Google Search: Waldorf Astoria Texas Hill Country
- Dallas News: Waldorf Astoria Fredericksburg and Dominique Crenn
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Dominique Crenn
- Travel and Tour World: Chef Dominique Crenn Partners with Waldorf Astoria
- Google Scholar: Dominique Crenn
- AOL: Posh Hill Country Resort Lands Chef Dominique Crenn
- Google News: Dominique Crenn Waldorf Astoria
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