Today we’d like to introduce you to Alicia Hinze.
Hi Alicia, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I am Alicia Hinze, and I am the owner and founder of The Buttered Tin restaurants and Freshly Frozen product line. Born and raised in Saint Paul, my passion for cooking was ignited at an early age through the warm, home-cooked meals prepared by my family. I am dedicated to crafting exceptional comfort food with a modern twist.
After honing my skills in various kitchens and earning a degree in culinary arts from Le Cordon Bleu College where I specialized in baking and patisserie, I embarked on a mission to redefine comfort food, blending classic recipes with innovative flavors and techniques. After training under Wendy Kromer, the Contributing Editor to Martha Stewart Weddings, I joined Cupcake Bakery in Minneapolis and appeared on Food Network’s Cupcake Wars in Season 3, Episode 2 (2011) and in Season 5, Episode 6, where we won!
In 2013, I realized my dream by opening The Buttered Tin, a cozy café nestled in the vibrant neighborhood of Lowertown Saint Paul, Minnesota. The Buttered Tin quickly became a beloved culinary destination, renowned for its decadent pastries, hearty breakfast dishes, and mouthwatering breakfast and lunch fare. The restaurant’s success led to an annual fellowship in the Women’s Entrepreneurial Leadership program of the James Beard Foundation and a second location for The Buttered Tin in Northeast Minneapolis, which opened in 2021.
With a drive to create, I launched the Freshly Frozen product line of ready-to-bake rolls and pies, which have disrupted the national frozen dessert brands. The Freshly Frozen products are found in major grocery stores in Minnesota (Lunds & Byerly’s, Kowalski’s, Whole Foods, Jerry’s, Hy-Vee, Cub, and others) and regionally (Whole Foods) with plans to take Freshly Frozen national.
From fluffy biscuits smothered in house-made gravy to indulgent cinnamon rolls, each dish reflects my unwavering commitment to quality ingredients and meticulous attention to detail. We source only the highest quality ingredients, focusing on farmers and vendors who organically grow and implement ethical practices, for use in the housemade dishes of our scratch kitchens.
Beyond the kitchen, I am deeply invested in our community, supporting non-profits, local farmers, and artisans whenever possible. As a cervical cancer survivor, I believe in the power of food to bring people together and am dedicated to creating a welcoming atmosphere where guests can savor delicious food and forge lasting memories.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
As a woman business owner, I have faced the challenge of balancing my professional career and aspirations with those of being a wife and partner to my successful husband and a mother and caregiver to my two, amazing children.
I hope my kids learn that you never stop growing, and at any age you can change course. I hope they see my work ethic and grit and understand that while you can do and be anything you want to be, you must be willing to work hard and to make sacrifices. I hope they learn that you can turn your passion into a career. I hope they learn how important it is to treat your employees, your peers, your vendors, and everyone with kindness and respect. I hope they learn that tenacity will get you everywhere. And that work, while sometimes stressful, can be very fun.
Because of all these ingredients in my business ventures, I was chosen to be in the inaugural class of The James Beard Foundation Women Entrepreneurial Leadership program-my proudest professional accomplishment. The fact that they chose me to be a featured pastry chef at their annual gala made me feel like they not only recognized me for running a great business, but that they also recognized my talent in pastry.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
The Buttered Tin serves wholesome food made with locally sourced ingredients, real butter, and a touch of love. Our menu highlights house-made American breakfast and lunch classics enjoyed by everyone. And, of course, we can’t forget the buttery scratch-made sweets like cinnamon rolls, hand pies, and cookies.
Our casual “come as you are” atmosphere is filled with the sounds of people laughing and the aroma of freshly baked sweets at both the Lowertown St. Paul and Northeast Minneapolis locations. Whether you are dining in the comfortable dining room or on the patio, picking up on the way to the office, or ordering cupcakes for the milestone occasion, The Buttered Tin’s classic eats and sweets are made daily with fresh and local ingredients sourced from trusted partners.
The menu at The Buttered Tin is a delightful mix of classic American breakfast staples and innovative lunch twists, and we will deliver and cater your next in-office meeting, graduation, or wedding. We accommodate diverse dietary preferences, offering vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-friendly options and uses 100% compostable packaging.
The Buttered Tin is known for our in-house bakery, where we create scratch-made treats daily, including delectable custom cakes, cookies, and sweets perfect for celebrations and special occasions—or just because! We believe you can indulge in a sweet treat without the guilt, especially when it’s made with simple, clean ingredients and love.
We have also launched the Freshly Frozen product lines, which allows people to enjoy The Buttered Tin’s high-quality, homemade taste in the comfort of their own homes by purchasing our cinnamon rolls, pies, dinner rolls, and hand pies in major grocery stores in Minnesota (Lunds & Byerly’s, Kowalskis, Whole Foods, Jerry’s, Hy-Vee, and more) and in Whole Foods across the Midwest. Freshly Frozen rolls, pastries, and pies are made with 100% real butter with higher butterfat (81-86%) and zero preservatives, resulting in a richer flavor and signature that-is-amazing taste.
Whether you’re in the mood for a leisurely brunch with friends or a quick coffee and pastry, The Buttered Tin and Freshly Frozen provide a heartwarming experience that celebrates the simple joys of good food and good company.
We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
From the outside, success can sometimes look like luck, but I know it has been earned through hard work and determination. I feel truly fortunate to have built a successful business, but it has been the result of sustained effort, long hours, and a deep commitment to creating a positive and healthy work environment. I am grateful for the physical and mental resilience that allows me to show up with passion and drive, and for a team that shares those values and feels the care invested in our work. Building and leading a business comes with constant challenges, and it requires perseverance, humility, and a willingness to learn and adapt every step of the way.
All the awards and recognitions are nice, and they represent a team of talented and passionate professionals who work extremely hard and who grow into even better people.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.thebutteredtin.com/
- Instagram: http://instagram.com/thebutteredtin
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheButteredTin/
