EUGENE, Ore. — This Saturday, June 17th, at the 58th Annual Commencement of Lane Community College (LCC), the Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award will be presented to an extraordinary recipient, Chef Crystal Platt. A Lane Community College culinary graduate of 2008, Platt has journeyed from being a 'terrible waitress' to a James Beard award semi-finalist in 2023.
Platt's entry into the culinary world was less than conventional. At 17, she found herself waiting tables, but, by her own admission, was "horrible" at it. The restaurant owner had the foresight to reassign Platt to the kitchen. Thus, a star was born.
Her culinary skills began to develop while she worked at the popular Marche Restaurant, in Eugene, during her time at LCC. Platt honed her abilities and moved up the ranks, finishing a decade-long career at Marche as the chef de cuisine.
In January 2019, Platt and her wife, Kirsten Hansen, opened the Lion & Owl, an elegant dining spot in Eugene, known for its locally sourced, 'Instagrammable' brunches. Their venture into the restaurant business began in an Airstream trailer in New Zealand, during an off-season from working at a fly fishing lodge. The restaurant has since evolved into a venue that changes its menu frequently, driven by a farm-to-table ethos.
The Lion & Owl, a market-driven establishment, relies heavily on local producers, collaborating with Groundwork Organics, Turnip the Beet, Newman's, Long's Meat Market, and many more. The restaurant's cuisine, inspired by Platt's global influences and her fond childhood memories, hovers around New American with a French influence. Platt describes her culinary style as "twists on traditional flavor combinations presented in a new, whimsical way."
Platt's unique approach to food and her drive for excellence led to a nomination for the prestigious James Beard award in 2023. The honor came as a surprise to Platt, who confessed to being "over the moon excited." Despite not knowing who nominated her, Platt expressed gratitude for the recognition and credited the success to her team. She confessed that winning a James Beard Award has always been a dream.
Platt and Hansen have navigated the trials and tribulations of the restaurant business together, from having a successful first year to transitioning to a take-out model due to the pandemic. Despite the challenges, Platt said they "adapted really well," and she looks forward to possibly expanding the restaurant's service to seven days a week later this year.
Lane Community College is proud to recognize Platt's exceptional journey and achievements with the Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award. Her journey from the community college's kitchen to the esteemed Lion & Owl has been inspirational, and she has exemplified the power of hard work, resilience, and culinary creativity.
Platt is a testament to the strength of the culinary program at LCC and its ability to foster talent and inspire success. She is also a shining example of how support from the community and local businesses can make a significant impact. As the recipient of the 2023 Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award, Platt not only celebrates her success but also gives hope to aspiring chefs and restaurateurs.
"We are immensely proud to see Crystal's culinary journey unfold so beautifully. Her dedication and passion for her craft, coupled with her resilience and adaptability, represent the values we strive to instill in all our students at Lane Community College. Crystal's journey from an eager culinary student to a celebrated chef is a testament to the transformative power of education. Her achievement validates the hard work of our faculty and reinforces our commitment to providing quality education that prepares students for real-world success." - Dr. Stephanie Bulger, President of Lane Community College.
Lane Community College educates over 15,000 students annually at six locations across Lane County and online. Students and alumni from all 50 states and 79 countries create more than an $850 million dollar impact on the local economy, helping to support more than 13,000 local jobs. Lane provides affordable, quality, professional technical and college transfer programs; business development and employee training; academic, language and life skills development; and lifelong personal development and enrichment courses.