Le Dix-Sept Pâtisserie is a botanically inspired pastry + confections company created by Bay Area native and classically trained chef, Michelle Hernández. Based in San Francisco, we are excited to be continuing the journey from appointment only workshop, Noe Valley Farmers’ Market and Pop Up events to a full brick-and-mortar shop and production kitchen where our long-time and new customers can walk in and enjoy our pastries in a permanent location throughout the week. We are more than pleased to be working with Soon & Soon, the design company behind the the beautiful interior of Mister Jiu’s and Moongate Lounge to create our dream space.
Michelle has a rich culinary experience — her technical skills were developed and honed by her years living and working in France. She graduated from Le Cordon Bleu, Paris with Le Grande Diplôme, a coveted culinary degree both in savory and pastry. She went on to train in pastry and cuisine at renown Michelin star restaurants, including L’Angle (maison Taillevant), La Table de Joel Robuchon and L’Agape. Michelle absorbed the amazing culture and language of France as well as learning from both European and American travel.
Michelle is proud to have grown her business from a Pop Up stand on 22nd Street to selling her pastries and confections in highly acclaimed outlets such as BiRite and Dandelion Chocolate, of which she has been a long-time collaborator. Since starting the business in 2011, Le Dix-Sept has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, Cherry Bombe Magazine, San Francisco Magazine, 7×7, Eater and more.
For a Woman of Color, Entrepreneur and Bay Area Native, it is a huge accomplishment to be opening in the Mission District in San Francisco just a few blocks from where Michelle started Le Dix-Sept. This is the neighborhood that she loves and that her family members lived for many years. We need more locally owned small businesses to thrive and stay in San Francisco to create a diverse and culturally rich city and YOU CAN HELP make this happen with your support of Le Dix-Sept. Michelle’s work continues to add to the uniqueness of San Francisco and the Bay Area, a community that she has contributed her talents to and loves whole-heartedly.
The lease is signed and we are ready to build out the space! The funds raised from the Kickstarter will go towards the buildout of the kitchen’s hood and to purchase the ovens, larger mixer, dough sheeter and additional kitchen equipment.
Le Dix-Sept is an ode to Michelle’s ancestors and the magic created through celebrating her beautiful and multi-cultural heritage. Our mission at Le Dix-Sept is to create and share with the community unique pastries and confections that incorporate the beauty and power that botanicals such as flowers, teas, cacao and honey provide. Michelle especially enjoys working with Hibiscus, Prickly Pear, Dragon Fruit, Rose, Elderflower and Mushrooms. The work created incorporates the influences of the Mexican, Pacific Islander, Arizona and California heritage that owner Michelle Hernandez grew up with. Working with plants and what the land provides for us to heal and thrive is in Michelle’s blood. Her maternal grandparents were farmers in the Philippines, working directly with the land to grow rice and vegetables before moving to the island of Guam where Michelle’s mother grew up and calls home. Michelle’s paternal grandparents were from a small town in El Paso, Texas, a border city that has a rich history of incredible foods that showcase the land they are from. Both Michelle’s grandmothers were industrious women and matriarchs of large families. They could cook their traditional Filipino, Guamanian and Mexican food from truly whole foods into magically nourishing delights for their families.
Le Dix-Sept’s Pastry Shop will be located on 18th Street & Mission Street in San Francisco’s Mission District, just a few blocks from where Michelle first started selling her pastries at a Friday night locals pop up event at Luna Rienne Gallery (formerly Fabric 8).
The shop will welcome customers Tuesday – Sunday, where customers will be able to enjoy freshly baked pastries, coffee, teas and specialty botanical drinks. Speciality pastries will include customer favorites of our Love Knots, Cannelés, Banana Cake, Almond Tarts, Quiche, Macarons, Meringue Clouds and more. And! We will have celebration cakes available in slices and full cakes at the shop.
We thank everyone who has supported Le Dix-Sept throughout the many years of hard work to get us to this point. We especially thank the Hernández-Glaser family, Groode-Bobadilla family, Peña-Hallinan family, Luna Rienne Gallery, Noe Valley Farmer’s Market Association and Customers, Dandelion Chocolate, La Cocina, Salvatore Fullmore of SLVTR Films, Chapel Coffee, ELL Gallery, Stephen Moore Home, Gillian Shaw of Black Jet Bakery, Catherine Takayama, Nicole Delacruz, Soon & Soon Studios, Anna Lee Jew, Brandon Jew, Mani Draper, Mission Cheese, Foragers Present, Rare Device, John Long, Harmonic Brewing, Kerry Diamond, The Cherry Bombe Team and all of our the amazing clients and community.
No one and no business is truly successful without the support of their community.
Merci beaucoup. Thank you.
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FILM CREDIT: This beautiful film was created by Salvatore Fullmore of SLVTR FILMS, a creative company based in Oakland, California. Thank you for continuing to support emerging creatives.
A brick-and-mortar build out is a challenge for anyone, especially in an expensive city like San Francisco. Like all buildouts, risks are: delays due to permitting and construction timing. We are confident that we have the right support in place to manage this project from architect to contractors to our amazing design team of Soon & Soon. Michelle is also working with local businesses in the area who are graciously supporting her with their time and advice regarding opening and thriving in the Mission. Additionally, Michelle has over 15 years of marketing and business experience, having worked at successful star-ups and large corporations. She has managed both small and large budgets and has experience in helping to open brick-and-mortar shops both in the US and abroad. She is a proud graduate of UC Berkeley (Go Bears!) and a graduate of Le Cordon Bleu, Paris with a degree in both cuisine and pastry. Le Dix-Sept opening a physical location has been a lifetime in the making and we are confident and will do everything in our power, along with your support, to realize and succeed this life long vision.