Erin French, the acclaimed chef and owner of The Lost Kitchen, is celebrated for her culinary artistry and inspiring life story. Behind her success lies a narrative of personal struggles, resilience, and eventual triumph.
Raised in Freedom, Maine, Erin’s culinary journey began in her father’s diner, where she developed a passion for cooking. Her early exposure to the restaurant industry laid the foundation for her future endeavors.
First Marriage that failed Miserably
In 2006, Erin married Todd French, a boatbuilder. Their marriage was marked by challenges, including control issues and emotional distress. Erin has described feeling undermined and belittled during this period, which contributed to her struggles with depression and anxiety. To cope, she turned to prescription medications, leading to addiction.
In 2013, seeking recovery, Erin entered a rehabilitation facility. During her treatment, she discovered that Todd had closed their restaurant and changed the locks, leaving her without a business or home. Additionally, she faced a custody battle over her son, further compounding her challenges.
Rebuilding and Culinary Renaissance
Determined to rebuild her life, Erin transformed a vintage Airstream trailer into a mobile kitchen, hosting pop-up dinners across Maine. This venture reignited her culinary passion and laid the groundwork for the reopening of The Lost Kitchenin 2014, housed in a restored mill in Freedom. The restaurant quickly gained acclaim for its intimate atmosphere and farm-to-table cuisine.
Meeting Michael Dutton and Finding Love
Believe it or not, Erin and Michael met on Match.com. While some people might shy away from admitting they met online, Erin embraces it with pride. In fact, she laughs about how at first, Michael was a bit embarrassed by it—but she wasn’t. For Erin, it was a practical decision born from necessity.
At the time, she was living in Freedom, Maine—a tiny town with a population under 800. Her chances of meeting someone new? Slim to none. “I realized I went to high school with every single one of the four guys that matched with me,” she said. That prompted her to expand her search radius—slowly at first, then dramatically. Eventually, her dating radius reached 400 miles, stretching all the way to New York City.
Meanwhile, Michael, a classic Upper West Side city guy, had set his dating parameters to a modest 10-block radius. “It takes too long to get anywhere else,” he joked. But fate has a funny way of drawing opposites together. Erin winked at him on the app, and to her delight, he eventually responded.
Their relationship didn’t begin with dinner or drinks, but with old-fashioned letters. Since they were living so far apart, Erin and Michael spent a month writing long messages back and forth—real conversations about life, dreams, and values. “We became pen pals,” Erin said, smiling. When they finally met in person, that connection was instant. There was no turning back.
Michael left his polished, city life behind to join Erin in rural Maine. Gone were the suits, dry cleaning, and taxis. In came flannel shirts, wood stoves, firewood, chickens, and tractors. “He’s more Maine than I am now,” Erin joked.
He even developed a love for building fires, something Erin finds both symbolic and grounding. She mused about how men often seem instinctively drawn to fire—maybe it’s a primal thing—but Michael embraced it wholeheartedly. Whether it was chopping wood or stoking the flames, it became part of his new rhythm of life.
Erin, born in 1981, and Michael, born in 1960, share a 21-year age difference. Despite this, their relationship thrives on shared values and mutual understanding.
Their relationship, though romantic, is deeply collaborative. Erin described Michael as her “balancer.” While she’s the big dreamer, full of ideas and energy, Michael is the steadying force. “I’m going a million miles an hour, and my foot is on the gas,” she said. “Michael’s in the passenger seat, gently pumping the brakes.” Together, they make the perfect team.
Michael has also been her greatest cheerleader—though he doesn’t love being called that. “His belief in me is endless,” Erin explained. “He’s constantly fueling me up, blowing wind into my sails, saying ‘Go babe, go babe, go.’” In her moments of self-doubt, he’s the one reminding her of her worth and pushing her forward.
Their mutual love for creativity, storytelling, and food has made their partnership even richer. Whether it’s running The Lost Kitchen or filming their show Getting Lost with Erin French, they do it as a unit. “This journey wouldn’t be half as fun without Michael by my side,” she said.
They also laugh about how Michael was the best $48 she ever spent—referring to the cost of her Match.com membership. “I saved him,” she teased. “And he saved me, too.”
What started as a long-distance match turned into a lifelong partnership rooted in shared passion, deep respect, and a whole lot of laughter. Their story is a reminder that love doesn’t always show up the way you expect—but when it’s real, it changes everything.
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