Raised in a working-class family in Beauvais, a small city an hour north of Paris, Ansel is the youngest of four children.

[4] When he returned home, he bought a car with his savings and began driving to Paris and dropping off his résumé at bakeries, and quickly got job offers.

Other chefs to have won the award include Jordi Roca, Albert Adria, and Pierre Hermé.

[12] In January 2021, he opened his first shop in Hong Kong, Dang Wen Li by Dominique Ansel.

[13] He opened Dominique Ansel Workshop, a croissant counter inside of his pastry kitchen, in Manhattan's Flatiron District in July 2021.