Portland bakery named America’s most ‘Outstanding’ at 2025 James Beard Awards

North Portland’s Jinju Patisserie was named America’s most Outstanding Bakery

at the James Beard Awards on Monday

, representing an unprecedented third national honor in as many years for Portland.

Jinju’s award at the so-called “Oscars of the Food World” comes after Southeast Portland’s

Kann was named America’s Best New Restaurant in 2023

and Northwest Portland’s

Langbaan took home the Oustanding Restaurant honor in 2024

Born in Seoul and trained in Las Vegas, master chocolatier Jin Caldwell and pastry chef Kyurim Lee opened Jinju in a small space at 4063 N. Williams Ave. in 2019, its

pastry cases filled each morning with crackling croissants

and beautiful bonbons.

“We are deeply honored and grateful,” said Lee, thanking the James Beard Foundation, the Portland community and “my business partner and my lifetime partner in crime, Jin.

“We did it,” Lee said, embracing Caldwell. “We really did it.”

— Michael Russell;

mrussell@oregonian.com

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