If you’re searching for innovative Christmas gift ideas or unique white elephant gift ideas this holiday season, I have the most delicious news for you. Renowned Pastry Chef Chris Ford has officially opened BUTTERLOVE&HARDWORK at the Kimpton La Peer Hotel in West Hollywood, and after attending the VIP Ribbon Cutting & Opening Party, I can confidently say this is about to become LA’s most talked-about dessert destination.
A Pastry Dream Come True
This marks Chef Chris Ford’s first brick-and-mortar storefront, transforming his viral dessert concept and lifestyle brand into an immersive, whimsical space where chocolate and pastry become edible art. The residency at Kimpton La Peer will run through early 2026, with ambitious plans for rapid expansion. For those who’ve been following Ford’s journey since he broke the internet with Kim Kardashian and his signature Breakable Heart in 2018, this physical space is the culmination of over a decade of perfecting the art of dessert.
Classically trained at Le Cordon Bleu, Ford has spent nearly two decades working alongside culinary icons including Thomas Keller and Michael Mina. His impressive client roster includes Madonna, The Kardashians, Louis Vuitton, Amazon, Netflix, and Chanel.
The Treats That Stole My Heart
At the opening party, I got to sample Ford’s creations firsthand, and they’re absolutely divine. The CHRISSANTS are a revelation: perfectly crisp squares with golden exteriors and buttery, flaky interiors that literally melt in your mouth. I tried the chocolate and classic flavors, but rotating options include berry, matcha mint, and almond.
Then there’s The Big Spoon – a playful throwback to childhood elevated to art. A branded wooden spoon is freshly dipped in rich chocolate pudding and finished with toppings like crushed cacao nibs or smoked sea salt. It’s nostalgic, indulgent, and exactly what Ford means when he says he wants people to “eat chocolate like a kid again.”
The Soft Serve & Chocolate Waffle Cone features creamy homemade soft-serve made with vanilla beans Ford personally sourced in Bali, all served in the world’s first 100% chocolate waffle cone crafted from premium Italiani chocolate.
Perfect Christmas Gift Ideas & White Elephant Gift Ideas
If you’re struggling with what to gift this holiday season, BUTTERLOVE&HARDWORK at the Kimpton La Peer has you covered. Ford’s iconic Breakables are show-stopping pieces that push the limits of chocolate artistry. These sculptural confections come shaped as birthday cakes, hearts, teddy bears, and seasonal favorites – each accompanied by a signature branded mallet and hiding sweet truffles inside for the ultimate unwrapping experience.
For the holidays, Ford has created special Fall/Winter Breakables including Turkey, Apple Pie, Pumpkin Pie, Christmas Tree, Dreidel, and NYE Ball designs. These make extraordinary Christmas gift ideas for the foodie in your life or unforgettable white elephant gift ideas that will have everyone fighting over who gets to take them home. Not in LA? Select Breakables are available for nationwide shipping at www.butterloveandhardwork.com/shop!
The Trufflements – a seven-day supply of chocolate truffles that puts a playful twist on classic chocolate bars – are another perfect gifting option at accessible price points, making them ideal Christmas gift ideas or white elephant gift ideas for any budget.
An Experience Like No Other
What sets BUTTERLOVE&HARDWORK apart is the multi-sensory experience Ford has created at the Kimpton La Peer Hotel. Upon entering, you’re immediately greeted by the rich aroma of chocolate. The eye-catching warped black-and-white checkered floor guides you to the Breakables display, where each piece sits atop pillars against a floor-to-ceiling red velvet backdrop, showcased like luxury jewelry in glass cases.
The space features a larger-than-life branded mallet centerpiece, a working chocolate tempering machine, and 64-inch screens sharing Ford’s creative journey. There’s even a first-of-its-kind luxury Chocolate Vending Machine stocked with confections and butter bars. And don’t miss HARDWORK Coffee, Ford’s ethically sourced, small-batch medium roast served in special packaging.
The Sweetest New Destination in West Hollywood
This is more than just a pastry shop – it’s an edible showroom where joy, nostalgia, and artistry come together in the most delicious way possible. Stop by to experience Chef Ford’s vision firsthand, stock up on those show-stopping Christmas gift ideas and white elephant gift ideas, and rediscover what it means to eat chocolate like a kid again.
BUTTERLOVE&HARDWORK ($16+) is located at the Kimpton La Peer Hotel – 627 N. La Peer Dr., West Hollywood, CA 90069; 213.296.3038, and open daily 8:00 am – 6:00 pm. Visit butterloveandhardwork.com or follow @butterloveandhardwork for more information!
