Meet Heather Hinsley | Chef Instructor & Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Heather Hinsley and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Heather, is there something you can share with us that those outside of the industry might not be aware of?
Yes—one thing people often don’t realize is that there are creative ways to keep food both nutrient-dense and accessible, and that’s where I love to offer resources, education, and hands-on techniques. In my niche—raw cuisine—the bar is even higher. Raw refers to ingredients that are unprocessed and typically not heated above 115°F, so they retain their natural enzymes and full nutritional value. That integrity comes at a cost. Raw cuisine also naturally lends itself to supporting food sensitivities, allergies, and dietary restrictions—it’s often gluten-free, dairy-free, and naturally sweetened, making it an affordable option for inclusive nourishment.

I often source from small farms and ethical producers, which not only supports better agricultural practices but also comes with significantly higher prices—even at wholesale. For example, recently cacao alone has risen 200–400%, making it incredibly difficult for small businesses like mine to maintain product affordability without compromising values.

This financial pressure is one reason I’m pivoting away from retail food sales and moving toward in-person chef instruction, culinary nutrition, and online classes. It’s a shift that allows me to keep sharing my passion in a more interactive and accessible way, especially with my community here in Colorado.

Lately, I’m especially concerned with accessibility, specifically how food scarcity and cost affect the ability to prepare nourishing, homemade recipes. Through classes, demonstrations, and community outreach, I aim to bring awareness to these issues while empowering people with skills and inspiration.

I’m also seeking partnerships with nonprofits and our community organizations to help build sustainable budgets around holistic nutrition. There’s so much value in bringing healthier cuisine into classrooms, wellness programs, and collaborative events. I’ve applied for grants for this concept and that’s where I feel called to focus next within the culinary arts industry.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
For over three decades, I’ve been creating edible art—blending my background in visual arts with the belief that we truly eat with our eyes first. With a Bachelor’s degree in Art Education, my path naturally evolved into this vibrant intersection of aesthetics, flavor, and wellness. My cuisine is deeply personal, a reflection of my cultural heritage and lived experience, expressed through authentic, customized menus that nourish on multiple levels.

I’m most proud of how far I’ve come, especially considering where I started. I didn’t grow up with emotional stability or access—however, I had determination, resourcefulness, and a strong inner spirit. That drive is something my late mom often reminded me of as I grew.

Over the years, I’ve worn many hats: artist and teacher, barista, baker, pastry chef, cook—each role adding a new layer to my craft. It was my wedding cakes that first put me on the map here in southwest Colorado, earning me the title of “Cake Artist.” More recently, I’ve added “Chocolatier” to that list, building my brand from the ground up with passion, grit, and a desire to connect with my community in meaningful and delicious ways.

What sets me apart is that my work is rooted in lived experience. By this I mean I’ve walked through chaos and come out the other side with a deep understanding of how art and good food can truly heal. I personalize this career by blending visual art, culinary art and simple emotional honesty, it is in that intersection where my creativity thrives. My path is one of recovery and purpose, and I strive to create work that nourishes people on multiple levels (with a smile along the way).

Honestly, it hasn’t been easy. I’ve faced financial hardship, self-doubt, and the constant balancing act of surviving while still trying to create a life that feels like thriving. I’ve had to pivot many times—like I am now, shifting away from retail food sales due to rising ingredient costs. Instead, I’m leaning into teaching again and community-based collaborations, which allows me to connect, educate, and inspire in deeper, more sustainable ways.

And “community” doesn’t just mean people, it also includes the natural world around us. Living at the base of the San Juan Mountains, I find deep healing and inspiration in the outdoors: in our National Forests, rivers, lakes, and quiet wooded trails. That’s something I write about in my book, how the serenity of nature offered me peace, perspective, and a sense of belonging during some of life’s hardest seasons. We’re incredibly fortunate here in Durango to be surrounded by such protected lands and restorative beauty.

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned? Listen to your inner guidance. Practice consistent acts of self-care. Be flexible with your methods, but stay rooted in your authentic purpose.

As a visual artist who has dabbled in just about every medium, I’ve always used creativity as a form of communication and connection. Lately, I’m an author more than a writer with the recent book, Delicious Details, a memoir with family recipes, this book is especially close to my heart because it’s dedicated to my late mom. Her life and the challenges she overcame inspired so much of the healing work I’ve done and continue to do. She helped me see that we all have the ability to transform our pain into purpose. Through it, I hope to offer encouragement to others, especially younger women and girls, that no matter where you begin, your story matters and you can shape it into something nourishing, beautiful, and a work of art.

What I hope people takeaway is that I’m here to share personal perspective, gently encourage others to reconnect with their own creativity, and remind us all that every person has something meaningful to offer. I deeply believe in the power of our shared human experience, the healing qualities of community, of good food and nature, and the quiet strength of the human spirit.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
When my best friend, Jennifer Remmes, comes to visit who I’ve known since we were six months old! I give her the full Durango experience: equal parts nature, art, nutritious food, and community connection. This rural city isn’t just scenic, it’s alive with creative energy, a supportive spirit, and places that nourish.

We’d start with lunch at Zia Taqueria, a local staple that hits the sweet spot between casual, healthy, and downright delicious. Their owner-operated focus on fresh, vibrant ingredients and sustainable practices aligns with my values as both an artist and a chef. It’s the kind of food that feels good and does good, like fuel for your next adventure or creative burst.

Speaking of adventure, we’d lace up our hiking shoes and explore the stunning terrain maintained by Durango Trails, a nonprofit that does an amazing job preserving access to the region’s trail systems. Whether we’re in the mood for an easy in-town hike or a challenging backcountry route, there’s something for everyone since these trail systems are a huge part of my own wellness and even creative process. The forests, rivers, lakes and alpine air? That’s my version of a sacred space.

We’d slow things down with a visit to the Smiley Building, in the heart of historic downtown Durango. Inside, you’ll find everything from visual artists to musicians, nonprofits, and innovators. My edible art studio and retail space is on the first floor (above the Smiley Café), where I sell artisan raw chocolates and signature cakes, all inspired by a healthy alternative—meaning gluten-free, dairy-free, and naturally sweetened offerings.

Upstairs is an intimate teaching space, where I facilitate classes in culinary arts and wellness. This room allows me to blend my recovery, creativity, and community education. Yes, I’d definitely utilize my wise health-conscious friend Jennifer for helping prep for a future class or two! We’d also stop by The ArtRoom Collective, a working gallery shared by local artists in a variety of mediums. The energy there is collaborative and inclusive as the building is fully accessible, and even welcomes service dogs.

And no visit would be complete without a walk down to Maria’s Bookshop, Durango’s true community gems. It’s an independent bookstore with heart, known for its thoughtfully curated shelves and local author support. I’d proudly yet humbly point out my book Delicious Details featured under the Culinary Literature as well as under Recovery section.

In the evenings, we might wind down with a walk along the scenic river trail system or catch live music—whether it’s a powerful performance by the San Juan Symphony or something more spontaneous at one of Durango’s intimate artsy venues. This town has a way of nurturing creativity, even after dark. The nightlife is relaxed but full of local flavor, with spots like Studio & Gallery showcasing thought-provoking visual art and community-focus shows. The creative spirit is alive here in the vibrant public murals that add story and soul to the streets.

Durango deserves a serious shoutout for its deep-rooted creativity, sense of community, and access to the natural world that inspires so much of what we do here. From the San Juan Mountains to the winding Animas River (which, despite being named the “River of Lost Souls,” has become a powerful symbol of discovery and connection), this region holds space for both tradition and transformation.

Southwest Colorado is alive with cultural experiences and the many people who genuinely care about what they create and how they share it. There’s always something happening—and it’s all infused with authenticity.

There’s simply too much to take in on a short visit. With so many layered experiences, this region makes it easy to turn a weekend into a weeklong stay, discovering more each day. Ah, while Durango already nurtures so much creative energy, my personal vision is to help grow what’s still emerging: a wellness-centered culinary school. One grounded in whole foods, hands-on learning, and community nourishment. I envision a space where science-based nutrition meets creative expression; a shared center for healthier cuisine and inclusive learning that supports both the local community and curious visitors alike.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
First, I want to recognize my incredible son. He’s the greatest joy and motivator in my life. Knowing him as he grew into the grounded, authentic adult he is today has inspired me too—to keep showing up, to be real, and to keep creating a meaningful, adventurous life. Born and raised here in southwest Colorado, he had opportunities to leave the state—but he chooses to stay, which says a lot about the kind of place this is. He’s a talented landscaper who specializes in what I like to call earth art—his hardscape designs are a powerful form of creative expression. Working with natural elements like stone and soil, he turns outdoor spaces into functional beauty, and I deeply admire his eye for design and reverence for the land. He’s also part of the local music scene, which is refreshingly genuine and grounded—a healthy, vibrant community of creatives that adds another layer to why this place feels so much like home.

I’m especially grateful to my partner, a talented cellist and dedicated music educator whose daily passion and heart-centered approach to teaching continues to inspire me. The way he holds space for his students reminds me that creativity and compassion are always worth investing in. He also has a deep love for the great outdoors and is a skilled, intuitive chef—whether we’re on a picnic or hiking, being in nature together is our shared happy place. It’s where we recharge, reconnect, and return to gratitude.

I want to honor my late mom, a woman whose journey from feeling like a “lost little girl” to becoming a “glowing woman in her golden years” is nothing short of inspiring. She overcame incredible odds with faith, grace, and quiet strength, and her support shaped who I am. Even through our mother-daughter challenges, she taught me about unconditional love, perseverance, and the beauty of personal transformation.

And I have to give love to this community in southwest Colorado. Living in a rural area isn’t always easy, but here, there’s a beautiful balance between independence and interconnectedness. From supportive wellness organizations, local nonprofits to fellow artists, food producers, educators, and entrepreneurs showcasing how this community cares. The access to local trails, national forests, and open sky is more than scenery, the land and animals here teach you to pay attention, and the people remind you that we’re in this together.

Website: https://www.deliciousdetailsdurango.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deliciousdetailsdurango/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heather-hinsley-5a694a235/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DeliciousDetailsDurango/

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/delicious-details-durango

Image Credits
Photo credits:

Photo Divine based out of Durango, Colorado
and
the late Ray Martinez of Mancos, Colorado