Private Social in Dallas Chef Najat Kaanache Claims: ‘I Invented The Cronut!’

Cronut-Gate: Ladies and Gentlemen of the jury, I present exhibit A.

Look out Dominique Ansel, Dallas chef Najat Kaanache claims she invented the cronut and she has proof the item was on the menu at Private Social on March 22, 2013.

Yesterday Carol posted the screen shot of tweets from Kaanache to Eater Dallas editor Whitney Falloon who posted a item on the cronut crazies in New York. I followed up the claim with an email to the passionate Ms. Kaanache. One of her replies:

“I can assure you that we’ve been making and serving creative donuts called “Cronuts” (in print since March 22nd, 2013) and I will continue to make them and sell them with full protection of the law regardless of any subsequent trademark attempts.  There is only one original. I don’t allege plagiarism against anyone I’m just protecting my right to market and sell my creation. I will be happy to make a batch for you.  I already offered to send some to poor Anderson Cooper who so publicly missed out on the NY cronuts for his birthday:)”

I asked for documentation.

 ”I always file and save ALL electronic AND HARD copies of all dupes, kitchen tickets, notes and menus and have done so since the day we opened.  I’ll go one further since we email the new menu every day I can forward you the original date stamped email with the attached dupe so you can quadruply verify its validity.  The lengths innovators must go to defend their creations!”

Late to the cronut frenzy? The pastry is a cross-dressed pastry that combines a doughnut and a croissant. The press picked up on the lines outside of the Dominique Ansel Bakery in Manhattan’s SoHo neighborhood and reported Dominique Ansel as the inventor.

Like Krispy Kreme (doughnuts), Pinkberry (frozen yogurt), and Sprinkles (cupcakes), the cronut is the current wait-in-line-for food. Who knows, perhaps Private Social will be flooded with customers craving cronuts. Let the cronutroversy begin.