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Heather Hinsley

The chef author, Heather Hinsley, is an accomplished culinary artist, blending traditional family recipes with professional experience. Her background encompasses art, pastry, and chef instruction, she creatively crafts her culinary story. Her journey is one of recovery and is deeply rooted in ancestry, combining Sicilian heritage with her Indigenous First Nations Mi'kmaq influences, resulting in her memoir that is both culturally inspired and professionally refined. Currently she is creating artwork that you can eat, located in Durango, Colorado.

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Culinary Arts

My Journey to Healthier Living and Delicious Desserts

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There was a time when I struggled with not-so-good health, facing challenges that flagged my medical charts with concern. But through a transformative journey of self-discovery, better nutrition, and prioritizing wellness, I found a path to feeling better—physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Along the way, I developed desserts that didn’t have to be just an occasional indulgence. By focusing on the details, they became nourishing, mindful, and delicious. This journey freed me from unwanted prescriptions and led to a life of true quality.

 

That’s why I created Delicious Details—to share this life-changing experience with you. Every dessert I craft is thoughtfully made with nutrients for healthier living, infused with love, and designed to accommodate food sensitivities and dietary needs. My hope is to inspire you to savor life’s sweet moments without compromising your health. Stop by the shop to explore these healthier, handcrafted treats, and let me show you how delicious wellness can be.

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Artist statement:  "Culinary Arts has become an intimate connection with food -- specifically with the dessert on a menu. At Delicious Details - Edible Nutritious Art, I embrace a new intimacy, particularly through my  focus on raw cuisine and healthier desserts.  My approach is to utilize the finest raw ingredients in a manner that preserves their integrity, resulting in a new cuisine that is not only delicious but also incredibly nutritious. I prioritize ease of digestibility and the assimilation of nutrients, ensuring that every bite can contribute to overall well-being.  The culinary creations celebrate the beauty of natural, plant-based ingredients. I source ingredients sustainable and organic -- always minimally processed. By crafting artisan desserts that are free from gluten, dairy, and refined sugars, I strive to make indulgence guilt-free and diet-friendly, even allergen friendly -- always delicious!"

 

What are these nutritious details you ask?  Superfoods are highlighted by using organic whole foods which I, as the Chef Artist, enhance through low temp activation or fermentation processes to maintain their nutritional values.  This type of integrity in nutritional value is intended for myself and for you!  As an artist, my journey as a pastry chef and baker has accumulated into the realm of raw cuisine, where each niche creation is a personalized expression of flavor, nourishment, and creativity. My intention is simple: to promote well-being and inspire healthy lifestyle choices through "no-bake" culinary creations.   
      In Delicious Details menu you'll find nuances in the nutrients that are the essence of my culinary beliefs. I playfully refer to my products as "disease-preventative desserts,"  by highlighting natural sweeteners over refined sugars and the power of functional medicine and the healing properties of good food to maintain or restore our natural vibrancy.
     The RAW cuisine is crafted with skill, from ingredient selection to presentation, reflecting my vision of blending artistry with nutrition, tradition with innovation, and finding joy in edible aesthetics. Each RAW piece of artwork is crafted with love and reflects my dedication to maximizing holistic nutrition and are visually pleasing.     I invite you to soon enjoy the delicious details that can make life truly nourishing.  At Smiley, I offer these indulgent creations to you with hopes you feel guilt-free as I believe what I do as a form of alchemy, transforming simple ingredients into pure wholesome delights that taste absolutely delicious. Drawing inspiration from nature, my culture, and my professional experiences, I strive to redefine culinary artistry. Join me on this flavorful journey as we explore the humbling yet profound connection between food and nourishment.   Thank you for joining me on this culinary journey! I've come a long way from using refined flours and sugars, and now I'm excited to share the goodness of Delicious Details - Edible Nutritious Art with you.   

 

Artisan sweet treats are on the current menu - Cake TO-GO!

Many ask how can these desserts be free from gluten, grains, dairy, eggs, soy and be full of flavor and nutrition, here is the answer, I use these main ingredients:
 

Raw cacao as butter and powder 
Coconut as cold pressed virgin oil, shredded
Nuts walnuts, almonds,, hazelnuts, macadamia
Seeds cashews, brazil, sesame 
Tree maple syrup and coconut nectar
Fruits dates, figs, cherries, cranberries, blueberries, oranges
Vegetables carrots, avocados
Flowers & Herbs culinary / edible 
Superfoods as powders complimentary / highlighted 


Raw Cacao: Often hailed as a superfood, raw cacao is packed with health benefits. It boasts an impressive array of antioxidants, protecting the body from free radical damage. Additionally, it's rich in essential nutrients such as protein, healthy fats, and minerals like calcium, magnesium, and iron. Notably, raw cacao contains theobromine, known as the "bliss molecule," which can elevate mood and promote a sense of well-being.

Coconut: From its meat to its oil and nectar, coconut is a versatile and nutritious ingredient. It offers a host of health benefits, including supporting heart health, aiding digestion, and providing a source of healthy fats. We incorporate coconut into our recipes for its distinct flavor and its ability to enhance both texture and nutrition.

Nuts:  Through soaking and dehydrating, I make these ingredients more nutritious and easier to digest. Activated nuts are rich in phytochemicals, vitamins (such as E, B6, and niacin), and minerals (including magnesium, zinc, and calcium).  The low temp dehydrator doesn’t compromise the nuts. Seeds are kept in the fridge here to maintain their freshness. 

Tree Sap: Natural sweeteners like coconut sugar and coconut nectar (from the blossoms) as well as maple syrup add a touch of sweetness. They are also lower on the glycemic scale. These alternatives not only enhance flavor but also provide additional nutrients and antioxidants.

Fruits and Veggies: Always organic and free from additives, these are the highlights for many of the recipes.

Decor: The desserts are adorned with edible decorations, including piped flowers, real edible flowers, micro herbs and cacao nibs. These decorative elements not only enhance the visual appeal of our dishes but also contribute to their nutritional profile, offering additional vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients.
 

At Delicious Details, I believe in culinary artistry that nourishes both body and soul. Through my commitment to using high-quality, nutrient-rich ingredients, I strive to inspire a culture of wellness and vitality with one delectable dessert at a time.

- Heather Hinsley

Chef Artist

P.S.

Special Order Cake - Guidelines

✅ Ordering: Please place your order as early as possible (minimum 7 days notice).

✅ Pick-Up: Have a cold cooler ready before receiving your order.

✅ Payment: Full payment is due at pick-up (all major forms accepted).

✅ Transport: Minimize travel time and keep the cake cold.

✅ Serving: Cakes are best served chilled—they can melt at room temperature!

 

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INVITATION FOR DONATIONS:

https://square.link/u/ObC37RqG

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Support Delicious Details: Small Donations, Big Impact

 

Your support means the world to me! As a woman-owned small new business, I pour my heart and soul into creating healthy, artisan cuisine. Every day, I specifically work hard to offer my community healthier desserts.  Part of my dream is to return to being a chef instructor and create inspirational events that share my passion for raw desserts - edible art. I dream of offering a unique curriculum for those interested, where I would share recipes and demonstrate how to make your own healthier desserts. However, financial challenges hold me back from purchasing video/recording equipment and marketing these events in our community.

 

If you believe in my mission and want to help me succeed, I humbly invite you to make a contribution.  Whether it's
$5 OR $5,000, every donation helps me continue to expand services, purchase equipment, sustain operations.

 

Together, we can achieve incredible things. Thank you for being part of my journey!  Link  to Square for donations.

Business Details

Contact

(970) 422-2241
deliciousdetailsdurango@gmail.com
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Hours

WED., THUR., & FRI.: 12 - 4 pm

SAT.: 12 - 2 pm

Sunday thru Tuesday: Closed

Address

1309 East Third Avenue
Durango CO 81301
The Smiley Building
Above Cafe on SECOND FLOOR

Price range:  $5 to $75 

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FLAVOR MENU (rotating)

TRADITIONAL SLICES:

Vanilla Nut
Vanilla Berry

Chocolate Coconut Crunch
Cacao Plus (w Sarvaa Organics)

SWIRL SLICE:

Wild Blueberry Almond
Cherry Chocolate Hazelnut

CUP: 
Coffee & Cream
Dark, Milk & White Chocolate

BITES:

Chocolate Almond Fudge
Chocolate Coconut Fudge 
Cashew Coconut Fudge

Chef’s Specials:

Seasonal Flavors

Whole Cake - Special Orders: Signature Chocolate & Vanilla 

"Delicious Details" has officially gone to press!  You are invited to read this book by purchasing directly from the publisher -  a local book signing party happened on 9.8.24! 
Email inquiries about the book: click here.

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