Title: Founder and Co-owner
Company: Damn Fine Hand Pies
Location: St. Louis, Missouri, United States
Madeline Hissong, founder and co-owner of Damn Fine Hand Pies, has been recognized by Marquis Who’s Who Top Business Owners for dedication, achievements, and leadership in hospitality.
Building on 25 years of experience in the hospitality industry, Ms. Hissong started a bakery out of her home in 2021. Naming the venture Damn Fine Hand Pies, she sold her goods as a full-time farmer’s market vendor for the first three years of the business’ life. This business proved successful enough that in 2024, Ms. Hissong opened a brick-and-mortar location. She now collaborates with a business partner and employs 19 others at the bakery.
Even before launching Damn Fine Hand Pies, Ms. Hissong has devoted her entire professional life to the hospitality field. She worked as a kitchen manager at Knead Bakehouse and a sous chef at Juniper for two years each. Across nearly five years, Ms. Hissong contributed as a line cook for Niche Food Group. Prior to that, she was an intern at Vie for half a year.
Ms. Hissong’s skills in hospitality have been backed up by a strong education in the fundamentals of the field. Most notably, she studied for two years at Le Cordon Bleu, the internationally renowned culinary school. Ms. Hissong earned an Associate of Arts and Sciences in culinary arts and related services from Le Cordon Bleu in 2016.
To commemorate her accomplishments, Ms. Hissong has received numerous accolades related to her work. She was named one of St. Louis Magazine’s Ones to Watch in 2020 and named one of the city’s Tastemakers and Industry Innovators in 2024. Ms. Hissong was also awarded Best Bite in St. Louis for her brown butter glazed cake donut. Since she opened its physical location in 2024, Damn Fine Hand Pies has been voted best new restaurant by one local publication, best bakery by another, and runner-up to best new restaurant by a third.
Though grateful for numerous aspects that have contributed to her success, Ms. Hissong particularly notes the importance of her journey to being sober. She embraced sobriety in 2019 and says that this decision completely changed her life. Since becoming sober, Ms. Hissong’s career has grown, and she has become a much more celebrated figure in her field. She has become a stalwart advocate for sober lifestyles.
That commitment to sobriety has also affected Ms. Hissong’s civic advocacy. She regularly donates and participates in fundraisers for 12-step recovery programs. Additionally, Ms. Hissong has formed partnerships with such organizations as Thrive for Life — which provides support and resources for those who have been released from prison — MoNetwork — a nonprofit aiding those who suffer from substance abuse — KVC Health Systems — a group devoted mental health and preventing child abuse — and Temperance Kitchen, which helps people in the restaurant industry who are struggling with addiction. She points to the importance of tenacity and perseverance in her life, letting her authenticity guide her in her professional life and beyond.
As she moves forward, Ms. Hissong is focused on continued success for Damn Fine Hand Pies. She finds great joy in working with and mentoring a new generation of workers. Ms. Hissong is inspired by how many younger workers in the restaurant industry do not allow themselves to be abused or overworked. She hopes to inspire them in turn by sharing her own experiences and teaching them how to create great food.
Contact Ms. Hissong: