Pastry chefs Kyurim “Q” Lee and Jin Caldwell have been crafting flaky, crackly croissants, giftable chocolates, and beautifully composed petits gâteaux for the Portland community since 2019, drawing inspiration from ingredients and techniques from around the world. The Seoul, Korea–born and raised pair met over a decade ago while creating pastries for renowned Las Vegas establishments such as Aria, Wynn, Bellagio, Green Valley Ranch, and Joël Robuchon.

During this time, co-owner Jin Caldwell rose to foodie fame; she headed R&D at the Mars Corporation and made several appearances on The Food Network. She was named one of Pastry Art & Design magazine’s Top 10 Chocolatiers in North America in 2009 and led the first all-female team to a silver medal victory at the 2007 National Pastry Team Championship. Kyurim Lee is known for her elegant, eye-catching desserts featuring unique flavor combinations and a customer favorite—her hyper-laminated croissants.

As female chefs in a traditionally male-dominated French pastry scene, Jin and Q have hustled, honed their craft, and built their careers as top-tier pastry chefs and chocolatier.

The pair moved to Portland, Oregon, in 2018 in search of a better work–life balance and to foster a small neighborhood bakery that would be enjoyed by a wider community. They loved the idea of offering daily treats beyond cake towers and religieuses. Q and Jin opened JinJu Patisserie in the spring of 2019—the name “JinJu” meaning “pearl” or “treasure.”

Since then, they’ve been met with enthusiastic approval and praise from local publications including Eater PDX, Portland Monthly, and The Oregonian, with Portland Monthly naming their chocolate croissant a favorite in 2021. Nationally, they were honored with the 2025 James Beard Award for Outstanding Bakery. Their golden, buttery, shatteringly flaky jumbo croissants regularly sell out before closing time at their walk-in–only counter.

Beyond their accolades, Jin and Q remain humbled by the Portland community that has welcomed them with open arms and opportunities for collaboration. When they’re not working behind the counter at JinJu, they enjoy participating in pop-ups and events with other food establishments, and local fundraisers. The pair strongly believes in hands-on ownership of their small but mighty neighborhood bakery, as well as in-person interaction for the most positive guest experience.