This Christmas cake delivers something far removed from traditional holiday desserts. Rather than following conventional European holiday baking, the Kimpton St Honoré Paris’s pastry chef Alexis Beaufils has created a limited-edition 2025 Christmas cake that channels the playful spirit of California ice cream parlors. This pink-glazed confection arrives just before the festive season begins, blending French technique with West Coast nostalgia.
This upside-down creation mimics a waffle cone turned on its head, deliberately referencing the casual California lifestyle that defines the Kimpton brand. The waffle cone became popular across America during the early twentieth century, though it was invented in New York by Italian immigrant Italo Marchiony in 1896. Beaufils takes this universally recognized symbol and reimagines it for sophisticated holiday dining.
Beneath the whimsical exterior lies serious pastry work. Beaufils builds layers of crisp waffle pieces, soft madeleine cake, and tangy berry compote made from blackberries and raspberries. An airy vanilla cream infused with black tea wraps around these components, adding subtle complexity to what would otherwise be simple sweetness. The combination is both indulgent and refined, bridging childhood memories of ice cream with an adult appreciation for balanced flavors.
The visual design makes a statement before anyone takes a bite. The bright pink glaze nods to mid-century California aesthetics, recalling roadside ice cream stands and Hollywood film sets. The cake is from Montecito, a restaurant inside the Kimpton St. Honoré Paris hotel, which draws its name and inspiration from the upscale California coastal town. The hotel brand originated in San Francisco in 1981, so this dessert connects directly to its West Coast roots.
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Limited Availability and Practical Details
Orders require 72 hours’ advance notice, starting December 10th. The cake serves six to eight people. Priced at 100 euros, it falls firmly into the premium dessert category. It measures roughly 30 by 25 centimeters, making it substantial enough for holiday gatherings without overwhelming smaller celebrations. Customers can place orders through the Montecito restaurant at the hotel on Boulevard des Capucines (27-29 Bd des Capucines, Paris 75002 — Tel: +331 80 40 76 10).
