Maria Bello and Dominique Crenn celebrate their union in Mexico

Actress Maria Bello and Michelin-starred chef Dominique Crenn said they owe their journey to the “three Cs”: cancer, Covid and, now, engagement .

Dominique Isabel Pascale Crenn receives countless DMs on Instagram from people trying to get a table at her San Francisco restaurant, Atelier Crenn. She usually doesn't respond.

But when Maria Elaina Bello sent her a DM in April 2018, the message resonated with her.

Lorraine Silvera, a friend of Ms. Bello and a fellow foodie, had seen Ms. Crenn in the Netflix documentary series “Chef's Table.” Ms. Silvera and Ms. Bello were flying to San Francisco from Los Angeles for a dinner at Atelier Crenn, but reservations were full.

Mrs. Bello, 57, sent a message to Ms. Crenn, 59, on Instagram: “My friend Lolo, who opened the first Italian restaurant in Cap-Haitien, Haiti, is coming to visit me next week and wants nothing more than eating your divine food. . We will be flying out of Los Angeles on Thursday if it is possible to get into the restaurant. »

In fact, Ms. Crenn had gone to Haiti the year before with her friend Michelle Jean. , who is Haitian, to help farmers affected by Hurricane Matthew, which devastated the country in October 2016. Their efforts to rebuild infrastructure included planting trees for coffee and cocoa farmers. Ms. Crenn felt obligated to respond to Ms. Bello and made room at the restaurant for her and her friend.

"It was the most delicious food delicious thing I've ever eaten," said Ms. Bello. "She was so nice, we knew that night we would be friends forever. was not in a meeting place. »

Ms. Crenn testified that she immediately felt safe with Ms. Bello and that Ms. Bello made a statement to her. hug that soothed her. “Sometimes, especially in my area, so many people come to the restaurant and everyone wants to be your friend,” Ms. Crenn said.

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