It's hard to believe that Filipino bakery Del Sur has only been open for five months. Helmed by Chef Justin Tiu Lerias, Del Sur earned rapid, and well deserved, name recognition warranting lines down the block every day they are open. I've waited in the line multiple times and have never once regretted a moment of it. That line alone creates community as everyone eagerly awaits what they know will be the best bite of the day. Once you set foot inside, that essence continues sensorily from the wafts of butter and ube and coffee, to the warmth and attentiveness of the staff after they have definitely already shared that welcome at least one hundred times that day. Del Sur is now joining forces with another Chicago power house of flavor and magic with flour, Daisies. Throughout the month of September, Del Sur joins a list of notable Chicago icons that have created specialty croissants with Daisies (all rolled out by Daisies executive pastry Chef Leigh Omilinsky): Wilco, The Weiner's Circle, Chicago Blackhawks, and Milk Bar, to name a few. The Daisies x Del Sur Croissant is a Calamansi Chamomile Croissant: a buttery, golden pastry filled with silky calamansi curd (a tribute to the bright, zesty Filipino citrus), coated with chamomile sugar and topped with a toasted chamomile meringue. I spoke with Chef Lerias about choosing an iconic flavor for this collab, what it means to partner with Daisies, and how your purchase of croissant benefits more than your belly.
The Calamansi Chamomile Bun is a mainstay at Del Sur and one of my personal favorites as well. What made this Filipino citrus the choice flavor for this collaboration?
I wanted to highlight an underrated Filipino ingredient, which is calamansi. As more people become interested in Filipino cuisine, I think it’s time to focus on ingredients beyond ube. Calamansi offers a very pleasant, light tanginess with a floral undertone that makes it different yet approachable to a wide range of palates.
The Daisies croissant collaborations have spanned from Wilco to The Wieners Circle to Milk Bar. Why was now the time for Del Sur and Daisies to collaborate?
I think as we get more settled, after five months of being open, we’re starting to look for ways to collaborate with other businesses that share the same values we believe in. Daisies’ commitment to sustainability is very inspiring to us, and we hope to follow their practices.
A portion of the proceeds benefits AFIRE Chicago. Can you talk about why this part of the partnership was important to you and what AFIRE does for the community it serves?
AFIRE directly supports people who need our help more than ever, specifically Filipino immigrants. The current political climate has made it incredibly difficult to be an immigrant in this country; the entire culinary industry would not be possible without the hard work of immigrants. We owe it to them to see them, listen to them, and support them.
The Daisies x Del Sur Calamansi Chamomile Croissant is available exclusively at the Daisies Chicago café as of Sept. 1 and will run through the month (first-come, first-served). A portion of proceeds will benefit AFIRE Chicago a community organization that creates a political home with and for Filipinx/a/os to confidently organize toward the liberation of immigrants. Daisies is located in Logan Square at 2375 N Milwaukee. Daisies Cafe is open Monday through Sunday 7am to 3pm.
