Meet the Artist: Chris Hanmer
World Champion Pastry Chef Chris Hanmer finds his best creativity in the kitchen. His European-style desserts are deletacable pieces of art, with flavors so delicious, you’ll mourn when it’s over. The downtown Sioux Falls business has been satisfying cravings from all over the globe since 2013, and is constantly switching up the menu for patrons to have new experiences. 605 caught up with the former Top Chef: Just Desserts contestant to see what’s new, and what hanmer does on his (little) time off.
My passion for pastries started… when I was about 15 years old. A chef I was working for gave me my first pastry book. I instantly fell in love.
My current must-have at CH Patisserie… our Milk Chocolate Mocha Cake. It’s amazing.
Outside of pastries, I enjoy cooking… anything with my family.
One thing I love about downtown Sioux Falls is… the energy of the city.
I’m really excited about… seeing the team at CH Patisserie learn and grow more every day. I am so proud of them all.
I find inspiration for my pastry design… in my traveling and memories with wife, Caryn.
The most beautiful pastry I created is… the next one.
My experience on Bravo’s Top Chef: Just Desserts in a nutshell was… the hardest thing I have done in my professional life.
Being named one of the Top 10 Pastry Chefs in America… was very humbling. It is truly touching to be recognized for something that you love to do.
What I love about my team is… we can count on each other 100 percent.
One of the biggest challenges about my business is… to keep pushing myself every day to be better for our guests.
Something I’m looking forward to is… Parlour Ice Cream House. We will open in Washington Square in Sioux Falls this spring, and will hand-make onsite up to 18 different flavors of ice cream, gelato, and sorbet.
My favorite thing about South Dakota is… how kind people are.
When I’m not working, you can find me… outside playing and having fun with my wife and two daughters.
One of my favorite places in the area is… Falls Park in the winter.
CH Patisserie is open Monday through Thursday 11 a.m. – 8 p.m., Thursday through Saturday 9 a.m. – 9 p.m., and Sunday 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. For more information, visit chpatisserie.com.
DON’T MISS THE MACARONS
Some people just go to CH Patisserie for the macarons alone. Try the Flavor of the Month – Chris Hanmer’s team tests what macarons may or may not make the cut as a staple in the dessert case (i.e. February’s flavors were Almond Joy and Puppy Chow).
Nutella
Vanilla Bean
Chocolate Pretzel
Salted Caramel
Chocolate
Cake Frosting
Fruity Cereal
S’Moke
Lemon
Coffee Caramel
Chocolate Covered Strawberry
Pistachio
Other Delicacies
Vanilla Butter Cookies
Madeline
Croissant Fromage Blanc
Milk Chocolate Orange Bar
Milk Chocolate Mocha
Tiramisu
