CHICAGO — After being named a nominee two years in a row, JinJu Patisserie from Portland, OR, took home the Outstanding Bakery honor during the 2025 James Beard Restaurant and Chef Awards, held June 16 at the Lyric Opera Chicago.
The award — presented by Elizabeth Falkner, awards committee chair and James Beard Foundation trustee, and chef Sherry Yard — honors a producer of breads, pastries or desserts crafted alongside high-quality atmosphere, hospitality and operations.
Led by Jin Caldwell and Kyurim “Q” Lee, the patisserie was established in 2019 to foster a community bakery right in Portland.
“We are deeply honored and very grateful for this award,” Q said, taking a moment to thank the JinJu team as well as the Portland community during their acceptance speech.
The co-owners have their hands in the mix every day, ensuring the patisserie’s offerings are of the highest quality, made from locally sourced ingredients whenever possible and infused with love.
Post-win, the pair told Craft to Crumb that this recognition’s significance especially resonates in reflection of the bakery’s early years, which aligned with the start of the pandemic.
“The Portland community is the one that really supported us and held us together to just keep going in the beginning of the pandemic,” Jin said. “The foundation of our love makes us do well every day, and that’s what we share with our community. We connect with them on a daily basis through our craft.”
In addition to offering an array of bonbons and laminated goods, JinJu is a pillar of its community, working alongside other local food establishments and fundraisers through pop-ups and collaborative events.
Six years in business later, Jin advised those interested in opening a bakery of their own to prioritize organization and scheduling.
“It doesn’t matter if you’re the only one baking or you have a staff of 20, really organize your production schedule, execute in a timely manner and don’t ever give up your dream,” she said.
JinJu Patisserie is the third recipient of this recognition since the category was first introduced in 2023. The Oregon bakery joins the likes of ZU Bakery in Portland, ME, and Yoli Tortilleria in Kansas City, MO.
