This chef turned her trailer suppers into one of the most sought-after restaurants | Secret Table

The Lost Kitchen in Freedom, Maine, started as Erin French’s path to rescue herself. Now the chef receives more than 20,000 requests to dine there each year. Subscribe to The Washington Post on KZbin: wapo.st/2QOdcqK
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[@christinekaye6393]

I was the head cook for a small, all-women catering business that felt a lot like Erin's kitchen. We were like family. No yelling, no big egos, everyone doing their part, everyone in sync. It was the best 20 years of my life. Erin is living my dream. She's terrific!

[@peacenow4456]

Mega respect for this gal, who knows how to survive and thrive and never say "I'm done." She's just begun, again! Kudos! And Girl, you inspire me, I have tears now too!

[@kathybaker3116]

I have all 3 of Erins books and purchased every season of her show. She inspires me in ways that bring you alive, to pay attention to nature, to be good at what you know & enjoy & were born to be.......great! ❤

[@MsMadmax1]

I love that she went back to her hometown. Her marketing strategy is brilliant--anything rare, anything special and in limited editions. The whole concept of a lottery reservation through post cards is Ingenius. The time and the care she takes into crafting seasonal and local flavors into what is essentially a work of art is not only beautiful to look at but a delightful surprise to the tastebuds. I don't know what her educational background is as far as running a business or culinary arts are concerned, but she has tapped into a very special and exclusive kind of niche very much like the French Laundry. If you make it...they will come. If you make it well, they will want it. And if you make it exclusive, they will want it more.

[@Teal_Seal]

I love her resilience and grit. She gets knocked down and keeps getting up. Not afraid of hard work. Not bitter about her past, sees it as part of the journey that led her here. I wish this view was more common and encouraged in homes, schools, media, entertainment...

[@giovanna8187]

Very smart about her boundaries, too.When it stops being fun she says she'll let it go, and move on to something else. It's that spark of love that keeps it alive for her.

[@mercy3219]

Great Idea -- Reservations by postcards only.... love it! Family style so it deals like a dinner party! (started as a supper club and evolved -- just wonderful!).

[@lookingglass9175]

I live the next town over, never been able to eat there. No one I know locally has been able to eat there. Great idea

[@Alphacentauri819]

@@lookingglass9175 well, if you want..open your own local restaurant. You can have it closed to non-locals or whatever. She never set out to have it this way, but if you actually knew the story...you could’ve eaten there when it was first opened. It was after word of mouth spread so rapidly, and the phone reservations couldn’t be managed anymore, due to the insane volume. The postcard lottery was an idea they hatched to keep it manageable. She never had any idea that she’d run into such an issue, be so popular. Judgment comes from fear and/or lack of understanding. Unless you’ve lived it, or really sought to understand, you can’t really know.

[@hopesprings4967]

This is my very favourite of your series yet! I love love LOVE this woman’s vulnerability, yet incredible strength. Those dark nights of the soul are what create this magic. The lack of competition and nurturing support is everything. My understanding of why or what made Thomas Keller decide to become a chef, was another chef explaining…it’s really just about nurturing and caring for people. True authentic Chefs nurture. I believe you can taste it in the food. This hidden gem in freedom is obviously all about that. One of these days I will write a postcard🎉❤🇨🇦🙋🏼‍♀️💐🕊

[@williamtaylor506]

Only a true Mainer uses the term 'dooryard'. Love that she has found so much success, but even more so, she makes sure that those around her are a part of that success. When Covid hit, and she was forced to remain closed for an entire season, she single handedly raised $325,000 for a local food bank in just 9 days, simply by asking those who were requesting reservations at the Lost Kitchen to make a donation. This in a county of fewer than 40,000 residents and a median income well below the state average.

[@dianaweld7777]

As a New Englander, Maine always has a special appeal and now Freedom, ME is a real destination. I like how there is only one menu and everyone is served the same meal & eats communally like a dinner party. You had me at the asparagus soup and the tiny turkey salt dishes used as butter oats. I am really happy for the success of this restaurant owner, I would love to read her book

[@SL-lz9jr]

As a Californian, now New Yorker, I’ve only ever been to Portland, Maine (don’t drive, so I’m often stuck visiting cities), but I’m so drawn to Maine. I want to see more!

[@kathybaker3116]

I ordered all 3 of her books and purchased every season to date. You will love her even more ❤

[@lionsingh18]

Utter respect from the UK

[@Winner1-c2u]

You have found creativity, love, and frienship through your pain and struggles. This brought you to Freedom.

[@jenjoseph9394]

OOH... BLESS THEIR HEARTS 💕. BLESS HER HEART. BLESS ALL THEIR 💕 HEARTS 💕.

[@adrienchandler4906]

Just ... fabulous! Brava to Ms. French for her accomplishments.

[@joleneplourde9885]

I was born and raised in Maine . I left in 1999 and cooked in Florida over the next 18 years returning to Maine in 2017. I ‘ve still been cooking since my return. I wish I had known of this lovely place in Freedom sooner! I really want to go there!!

[@PrincessDiana1256]

I loved the ice cream in the littlr green hens! Could have been butter but I adored that small kindness. You dont find that anywhere. Love,love,love that uniqueness....postcard? On the way....this is why they love you. Just one reason. God bless you in your journey. I will share this with my family...

[@elymartin8773]

A simple life in Freedom 🥂

[@grantt.9546]

Powerful & wonderful. What an amazing story. Thank you

[@erikpeterson25]

Quite the story.....CHAMPION ! 👍💕

[@tamaliaalisjahbana9354]

The perfect restaurant. All those films with cooks competing under enormous pressure, all the stress and shouting and even people being mean - it all totally puts me off the food and eating. This is how a restaurant should be run. Not just food for the body but also the soul.

[@SL-lz9jr]

Food for the soul, exactly!

[@icantcook9998]

God truly forged a strong beautiful and humble woman there

[@elvenkind6072]

Seems like a place where the food isn't the most important thing, but the company and sharing a positive experience. Really made me feel warm and fuzzy inside.

[@UXtatic]

That is what dining is about.

[@Alphacentauri819]

If you listen to her book, the food is one of the most important things though...not in the realm of competing with others, but in service of love to the diners. She carefully and meticulously gets her food from local farmers etc,. It is part of the whole picture. The best quality food, cooked the best way they can imagine, served in a warm environment, and with the intent of love. The food is the vessel.

[@anitaowens-decuir9488]

I Love Erin's journey- so beautiful

[@karenlindley9265]

A powerful healer for humanity..I am glad she found herself through her dark times! Light can't exist without dark..🙏💗🔥🔥😘💠

[@patriciahogg5763]

Sounds magical! On my bucket list! Hope to share this experience, at some point! 🥰

[@trishradloff8817]

Another reason to return to my home state of Maine. Besides visiting my family that is.

[@puidemare2337]

I'm more inspired by her tenacity to push through adversity to arrive where she's at today mentally. I hope for my friend the same resolve to push through adversity and be content. But her food, place and ideas are amazing!! She's an original. Hope outside noise doesn't change her vision for this fine idea of a "restaurant."

[@drewhendley]

Forget New York, if you can make it in Freedom Maine you can make it anywhere

[@nadiamajors390]

Love this would love to come to this restaurant.

[@UXtatic]

Send a postcard.

[@cherylb6755]

“When you think you’re done, you keep going....”

[@radicalrick9587]

I'm speechless...

[@mominthe209]

This was just wonderful to watch. I want to just come and hangout.

[@laurabrooks3076]

Great story/ Can’t wait to read her book

[@chiquita1235]

Love the concept - very inspirational

[@milagrosgrabowski9073]

Ohhh how I would love to eat there and for once feel empowered!

[@Alphacentauri819]

Empowerment starts with you, your mindset. While this lovely restaurant would be a great experience...it’s not the ticket to self empowerment. Erin did hard, hard work to get to her place of empowerment.

[@donnagotcher743]

I definitely can tell u that the place where I work Local Foods Kitchen is completely the opposite and needs a lot of work.

[@Tresenlanube]

Congratulations to you and your success 🥰😘

[@lisagreene9224]

Cheers to You! My Aunt lives in Winslow, may someday I'll have the priviledge of meeting you and your wonderful faire.

[@twillett100]

What a joyous amazing story. Thank you. ❤️

[@BonjourCassy]

Beautiful

[@JohnnyC10071959]

I literally just ate at a great place and still I am wanting this food

[@celestialskye1]

How heartwarming 💖👏✨

[@donnagotcher743]

Never meet u but I'm inspired 4u🙂

[@fireworks4993]

Stephanie Mack one more adventurous place to go in Maine this looks good 👍

[@molh394]

this needs a lot more views

[@chrysannereding5304]

Is she still filming? Love this show!

[@georgewbushcenterforintell147]

Respect to great food

[@yaindragallego3484]

Love it 🥰

[@kigvader]

Real-life Lorelai from Gilmore girls

[@donnagotcher743]

I know I would enjoy being an Inturn here.

[@jenjoseph9394]

I'll try to get reservations.. SOMEHOW.

[@Eyagsf]

Loved this😍

[@bethgavilanes3824]

This is the result of strong,confident women who use past traumas turned into something positive and not having narcisistic men around them.

[@tamaliaalisjahbana9354]

It is indeed..

[@tawutke]

or narcissistic women. There are plenty of positive men out there like her current husband, Michael Dutton.

[@phammond8155]

Wow. Women are not competitive by nature, ( Ya I know, some are) but enjoy group think and companionship. Aren't we all worn out with the competitive games we play in life. Always out doing each other, very masculine energy. The tide is turning soon I hope.

[@Alphacentauri819]

Yes! Most women want to collaborate, cooperate, can see the benefit to the bigger picture. My intimate relationships with men went south, due to their inabilities to work well as a team. I’m happier single. Maybe I need to find a woman companion?

[@jenjoseph9394]

Oh there's a guy THERE..I didn't notice any guys there before. .

[@user-li2vl4yd1x]

Great great video.

[@jenjoseph9394]

Probably be next year by then but it's worth a try, LoL 😂😆😂, BUT SERIOUSLY 😑😳

[@joanjettboy]

❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@thedogzoo]

I'm jealous. ❤

[@giovanna8187]

Be inspired. Do what makes you happy. Seriously.

[@TanyaRyno]

Skyrim - relaxing music & ambience

[@Extremestoic23678]

I've read the book. Erin is who she is because of her father and the diner he purchased and the responsibilities he gave her though he is portrayed as so abusive. Read the book. The man she married appeared to be an alcoholic from the start and 20 years her senior but she went with it. She was always able to return to her family after setbacks, including her pregnancy. You learn a lot about how the media spins things when you can contrast it with the book.

[@maureensutter5187]

meals could be the best in the country, the meals are like 250.00 that's crazy

[@rediculossc7277]

There has to be some edibles involved somewhere....

[@DoryanTheCritic]

$135 USD per person, for real? I eat a whole month with that amount of money here in Mexico.

[@Ohduhhh]

America isn't Mexico - everything is more expensive here, particularly unique experiences. Plus, I doubt you eat the multi-course meals every night that they provide during your visit. You're paying for not only the meal, but for a once-in-a-lifetime experience in an atmosphere such that I doubt you can find anywhere else. I'm praying my postcard gets drawn in 2023. I'll fly from my home in Alaska if I'm fortunate to have the opportunity.

[@kathleenbendel7404]

😍

[@henryjost744]

CC doesn't work.

[@kennethmccoy8938]

Why don’t any of the people in this show have the heavy Maine accent. Anyone that’s ever talked to a local from there knows exactly what I’m talking about. They aren’t real Maine locals

[@renecurry6551]

👄I like her single menu per night idea.

[@marilynkozlow8400]

I’d show up wearing my maga hat. Wonder how that would be received?

[@aprileatsguilty]

I doubt they’d be that welcoming to you. Because I’ve seen other videos about her and it seems that all the evil she had to deal with in life are men - her father who hasn’t done her any good (except influencing her in learning how to cook young), her baby daddy (who I don’t know why she fell in love with and got pregnant with since he’s a bad man), all the male chefs in the world’s top restaurants since they don’t have a heart and just screaming in the kitchen (I guess these nale chefs just don’t have the passion to make the people happy with their food) and lastly, she’s currently married now (he’s also likely evil since he’s a man and cannot be seen).

[@aprileatsguilty]

@r g that is such a clear and meaningful message that I can use to make life better. Thank you.

[@lanehartwell]

Why would you do that? Just to be provocative? Not sure what a woman running a great restaurant has to do with politics. Also, why are you still hanging onto that thing? It's over.

[@samudramanthan8645]

@@aprileatsguilty "... the male chefs in the world’s top restaurants since they don’t have a heart and just screaming in the kitchen" You have not worked in some of the finest kitchens with male chefs; a few are quite serene.

[@verystupidhandle]

$200 a person! GTFOH!

[@Alphacentauri819]

Well...she has no trouble getting people who will pay! Additionally, putting in the $$/time, energy, 16+ hr days, getting local/organic produce and seeing her own napkins, aprons, making her own floral arrangements...and on and on. If you don’t appreciate the dynamics that go in to it...just don’t write the postcard!! No one’s forcing anyone to do it! Most gladly go. It’s a special once in a lifetime thing.

[@tognyd2349]

Yeah, because women aren't competitive.

[@Teal_Seal]

I thought the same - and I’m a woman haha But she did say it was rough going first couple years plus she’s in a position to control who stays.... and goes. 😉 I’m guessing they’ve become sort of a family, which is a strong incentive to stay. But anyone with serious ambition and skill could learn the ropes and go create their own version somewhere else. I kinda hope they do bc I’d love to have that experience.

[@aprileatsguilty]

Exactly. Lol!

[@Alphacentauri819]

She never said women aren’t competitive. It’s not all or nothing. Yes, some women can be competitive...however, in the world of food, WAY more men are epically competitive. They are about ego, awards, title. She’s about serving amazing food to the people...more than about the competitive sphere. It’s a massive difference. Statistically and historically, men are more competitive than women. Doesn’t automatically mean that some women aren’t competitive. It’s not mutually exclusive. Thinking that way veers towards simplified cognitive realms, to make uncertain realms more “certain” even if based in fallacy. Historically, women (not all of course) are more cooperative, collaborative, and have better compromising skills than men. Look at big corporations, dictators, drug lords, and on and on...men. War, territorial moves, domination, generally are the games of men. Of course, there are some men who are fantastic at cooperation, compromise, and collaboration (pro-relationship skills)...but comparatively women as a whole are stronger in such traits.

[@tognyd2349]

@@Alphacentauri819 She didn't have to. It's an implication.

[@Alphacentauri819]

@@tognyd2349 wow. Your comprehension is poor. She wasn’t saying WOMEN aren’t competitive....she was saying her group of women and HER approach within the culinary world isn’t through a paradigm of competition. If you remain obtuse, you’re missing much in simple equations...yet think you have the whole picture. You don’t.

[@daveyd3734]

By, of, and for fancy white people. And no mention of her class. She lost everything!? Except her parent's money and her lifelong position of being upper class. And no training from those wrong, dirty men? Her father trained her from childhood to be a chef/owner! This is a lady of extreme privelege, set up for opportunity from birth. Excellent marketing! This is the "bootstrap story" propaganda of rich people. This CRAP is why many see themselves as "temporarily embarrassed millionaires" as Twain put it, rather than a proletariat of the world.

[@JC-ub8mh]

I would love to ask Sergio Herman, Andreas Caminada, Daniel Humm, Peter Goossens or Thomas Keller if the reason they get up every day is to "beat" their colleagues. That is a disgustingly arrogant way of viewing a facet of the culinary world that this person knows nothing about. At the very most this comes off like some kind of woke gimmick. It feels far more pretentious than even Louis XV in Monaco. I wish Erin nothing but success but hope she realizes that the power of food is bigger than her identity driven kitchen. This is bigger than you Erin, someone as bright as you should get that. Dig. Deeper.

[@dennisangani3710]

Super. it's an insult to the chefs actually. No one cares if a man or woman is making their food. We only care if its great and worth its buck.

[@williamtaylor506]

I think the disgusting arrogance (your words) is entirely yours, JC. She is phenomenally successful and did it entirely on her own terms, in a location few people could find without the aid of GPS or the internet. Most importantly, she's entitled to her own perspective and opinion.