Eats & Beats: Hinman Pies brings pastry joy to The Morning Set

“Every time I give somebody a pie, I get a story, I get a smile..” Pastry chef John Hinman on the power of pies: they foster storytelling among people. He joked with The Morning Set’s Steve Chavis and Abi Clark about how he ought to compile a coffee table book of the many interesting and heartwarming stories he has heard and shared over the dessert. He’s found that the impact of pie is more than just satisfying a sweet tooth. It’s also led to the creation of a safe space here in Denver for people to share stories of pain, recovery, and improved mental health.

After learning from the best teachers he could think of, grandmothers at pie-making contests, Hinman perfected his craft and started distributing his pastries in the Denver area through Hinman Pie. While delivering bread and pies through the back doors of local restaurants, he saw an opportunity to give back. He began inviting folks in the food industry struggling with substance abuse to gather, connecting with them through his own experience as a recovering addict. He founded the non-profit CHOW, which stands for Culinary Hospitality Outreach Wellness, and has continued this work in the community for the past 6 years. Along with this initiative, he offers Hinman Pies at local markets around town and for special orders through his website.

Pumpkin Pies, Salted Maple Pies, Pie-ettes, and more, John Hinman brought an array of tasty treats to Eats & Beats on 11/06. They shared a conversation about what doors Pie has opened in his life and the lives around him.

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