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CREDITS
Written by Haipei Chen & Lea Hidaka. Advised by Karen Cheng.
Special thanks to the following data sources and assets, which served as a backbone for this project:
Datasets:
Jerry Ng: https://www.kaggle.com/datasets/ngshiheng/michelin-guide-restaurants-2021
Michelin Guide: https://guide.michelin.com/en
Crown Shy Media & Photography:
Crown Shy: https://www.crownshy.nyc
Bon Appetit “Every Single Job In A Michelin Starred Kitchen”: https://www.bonappetit.com/video/watch/every-single-job-in-a-michelin-starred-kitchen
Bon Appetit “We Put 19 Cameras In A Michelin Starred Restaurant”: https://www.bonappetit.com/video/watch/the-pass-we-put-19-cameras-in-a-michelin-starred-restaurant
Crown Shy Photographer, Natalie Black: https://www.thenatalieblack.com
Review Platforms:
Travel for Stars, by Matthia Ruhl: https://www.travelsforstars.com/blog/2023/07/17/eleven-madison-park-new-york
Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/crown-shy-new-york-2
TripAdvisor: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g60763-d17413865-Reviews-Crown_Shy-New_York_City_New_York.html
NYT Food Review, by Pete Wells: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/06/11/dining/crown-shy-review.html
Google Reviews
Quiet
Formal
Lively
Approachable
Service
Expensive
Affordable
Pricing
Hidden
Open
Location
Sophisticated
Hearty
Cuisine
Ambiance
Quiet
Formal
Lively
Approachable
Service
Expensive
Affordable
Pricing
Hidden
Open
Location
Sophisticated
Hearty
Cuisine
Ambiance
Crown Shy offers an ambiance that’s second to none. The 90s hip-hop and R&B added energy and nostalgia to the experience , while the sleek yet inviting decor made the space feel luxurious but comfortable.
8/24/2024
Yelp Review
Chris E.
Seattle, WA
Quiet
Formal
Lively
Approachable
Service
Expensive
Affordable
Pricing
Hidden
Open
Location
Hearty
Sophisticated
Cuisine
Ambiance
Easy to find, a huge space on the ground floor of the Art Deco landmark building. Staff is nice and the kitchen is open so it is quite enjoyable to watch the chefs’ work.
5/12/2024
Yelp Review
Karine M.
Paris, France
Quiet
Formal
Lively
Approachable
Service
Expensive
Affordable
Pricing
Hidden
Open
Location
Sophisticated
Hearty
Cuisine
Ambiance
The food was outstanding. Each plate had distinct flavors and was innovatively prepared, from the carrots to octopus to the half chicken. Portions were generous and easy to share , which was great because the prices (like all restaurants these days it seems) were steep.
7/21/2024
Tripadvisor Review
Cliff G.
Washington DC
Quiet
Formal
Lively
Approachable
Service
Expensive
Affordable
Pricing
Hidden
Open
Location
Sophisticated
Hearty
Cuisine
Ambiance
The price varies by time slots and we did the first seating with lower price $85 per person. The courses were served in family-style and they used text messages to confirm customers’ choices of entree & any special needs before we arrived.
1/16/2024
Tripadvisor Review
Hsin-Yi W.
Queens, NY
Quiet
Formal
Lively
Approachable
Service
Expensive
Affordable
Pricing
Hidden
Open
Location
Cuisine
Hearty
Sophisticated
Ambiance
The very friendly and chill staff was the best thing of the evening. I went there 2 weeks ago and I still think about that evening out every day. If you go there and you like Gin, you must try the "Resinate" cocktail.
4/24/2024
Google Reviews
Simon J.
New York, NY
Achieving and maintaining a Michelin star is not an easy feat. It requires dedication, precision, and attention to detail in every aspect of the dining experience. Crown Shy’s Michelin-star recognition is a testament to the hard work and expertise of its entire team.
90s hip hop. A La Carte menu. Open Kitchen.
These might not be what you’d expect from a typical One-Star Michelin restaurant, but each element is crafted with great attention to detail before being presented to the Crown Shy customers.
Together, these pieces come together to create the memorable experience that you can only get at Crown Shy— its unique recipe for earning its Michelin Star.
Fin.
From the Customers
Crown Shy’s Michelin-Star Recipe
When it comes to Michelin-starred dining, certain expectations often come to mind: white tablecloths, a quiet ambiance, and dishes that feel more like art than food. But Crown Shy challenges this notion by combining tradition with individuality. In this section, we’ll explore customer perspectives on how Crown Shy fits or defies the typical Michelin star mold, and how these elements come together to form a cohesive experience that redefines what it means to earn a star.
03
What are the hours like for each role?
With such a huge crew, it is important to make sure the kitchen is fully staffed at all times. Let’s take a look at a master timeline of all the roles an their hours:
4
10
Pastry
9
12
Beverage
11
25
Dining Room
7
12
Commis
5
Management
2
7
Porter
Savory Kitchen
11
15
Crown Shy Staffing
Standard Staffing
Staffing During Peak
During peak hours, the restaurant might even be overstaffed. Combined, all the roles work an average total of 512 hours every day.
8:00
7:00
10:00
12:00
14:00
16:00
18:00
20:00
22:00
0:00
Butcher
Commis Chef
COMMIS
Receiver
KITCHEN
Line Cook
Chef Entremetier
Pasta Cook
Fry Cook
Prep Cook
Chef Tournant
Grill Cook
Sous Chef
Extern
PASTRY
Chocolatier
Pastry Sous Chef
Pastry Cook
BEVERAGE
Bar Prep
Barback
Head Sommelier
Sommelier
Bartender
Drinking Consultant
DINING ROOM
Floor Manager
Maître D'
SERVICE
Trainee
Kitchen Server
Server
MANAGEMENT
Chef/Owner
Assistant General Manager
Culinary Director
Chef de Cuisine
Executive Sous Chef
PORTER
Dishwasher
Porter
KITCHEN
Line Cook
Chef Entremetier
Pasta Cook
Fry Cook
Prep Cook
Chef Tournant
Grill Cook
Sous Chef
Extern
PASTRY
Chocolatier
Pastry Sous Chef
Pastry Cook
BEVERAGE
Bar Prep
Barback
Head Sommelier
Sommelier
Bartender
Drinking Consultant
DINING ROOM
Floor Manager
Maître D'
SERVICE
Trainee
Kitchen Server
Server
MANAGEMENT
Chef/Owner
Assistant General Manager
Culinary Director
Chef de Cuisine
Executive Sous Chef
Though the restaurant opens at 5pm for service, the Commis and the Kitchen team start as early as 8am to prep ingredients.
Chef Jamal James Kent, the owner of Crown Shy, puts in the longest hours and even lives in the apartment right above the restaurant.
Clean up after service can go all the way until midnight, two hours after they close.
Jamal James Kent
Owner, Head Chef
Jassimran
Daysy
Culinary Director
Assistant General Manager
Alfred
Max
Chef de Cuisine
Savory Food Components
Bread & Desserts
Kitchen Preparation
Customer Experience
drinks & pairing curation
Executive Sous Chef
MANAGEMENT
KITCHEN
PASTRY
COMMIS
SERVICE
BAR
















































Jamal James Kent
Owner, Head Chef
Jassimran
Daysy
Culinary Director
Assistant General Manager
Alfred
Max
Chef de Cuisine
Savory Food Components
Bread & Desserts
Kitchen Preparation
Customer Experience
drinks & pairing curation
Executive Sous Chef
MANAGEMENT
KITCHEN
PASTRY
COMMIS
SERVICE
BAR
















































Jamal James Kent
Owner, Head Chef
Jassimran
Daysy
Culinary Director
Assistant General Manager
Alfred
Max
Savory Food Components
Bread & Desserts
Kitchen Preparation
Customer Experience
drinks & pairing curation
MANAGEMENT
KITCHEN
PASTRY
COMMIS
SERVICE
BAR
















































There are 48 crew members at Crown Shy. Under management, they are divided into 5 teams, each with an average of 9 people.
3 teams (kitchen, pastry, and commis) are in the back of the kitchen, while 2 teams (service and bar) are in the front of house.
At the top, 3 key individuals form the backbone of the restaurant: Owner Jamal, Culinary Director Jassimran, and Assistant General Manager Daysy.
Behind The Scenes
It Takes A Village
02
While a Michelin-Starred restaurant is often famous for its head chef or the owner, a large team works behind the scenes to keep it running smoothly. From the kitchen to the front-of-house, every role is essential to the overall operation. Let’s take a closer look at the team members behind Crown Shy’s Michelin Star:
Above all, a well-operated Michelin-starred restaurant has a clear, well-organized flow and hierarchy, where teams have individual roles but also cross-function and support one another. Every role has their own duty, and the restaurant cannot operate without any of them. They operate with the highest time efficiency to maintain the quality of each dish and deliver the most seamless and flawless customer experience possible.
About Crown Shy
“Neighborhood Seasonal Restaurant”, “Polished, New American”
No matter the number of stars, Michelin-Starred Restaurants have always been known to hold themselves to the highest of standards within the restaurant industry. Down to the tiniest of details from the service to the food, the staff is dedicated to ensuring that the customer has an enjoyable experience. The New York restaurant, Crown Shy stands as a testament to the artistry, discipline, and commitment of the staff that goes behind maintaining the prestigious one-star distinction within the Michelin Guide.
Located in Manhattan’s Financial District, Crown Shy is a neighborhood restaurant elevated by fine dining cooking technique and purposeful friendly service. Its name is inspired by “crown shyness,” a natural phenomenon where treetops form gaps instead of touching, echoing the Manhattan skyline and the restaurant’s philosophy of working together in harmony. It blends a familiar menu with fine dining techniques, served in a plating style meant to be shared. The food at Crown Shy is rooted in European technique but draws inspiration from around the world, primarily the flavors from our childhoods, traveling, and the diverse cuisine in New York City.
In this story, we’ll take a closer look at Crown Shy — the food, the front and back of the house, and the reviews. What truly makes a 1-Star Michelin Star restaurant? Let's find out.
00
Est. 2019
One Star: 2019 - Present (6 years)
Worth A Stop
Manhattan
NYC, NY

“Crown Shy Opens, With an Eleven Madison Park Chef in the Kitchen” - The New York Times
What truly makes a Michelin Star restaurant?
A Deep Dive into Crown Shy: the 1-Star Michelin Restaurant in NYC
7 min read
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