DESSERT DUEL CHALLENGER #2: THOMAS HAAS

For the first time ever, the Vancouver Home + Design Show will be the site for one of the city’s hottest cooking competitions: the inaugural Savour Thursday Dessert Duel, happening Thursday, October 11 at 6pm on the Savour Your Life Cooking Stage.

Every Thursday in August, we’ll be profiling one of our three esteemed competitors. Today’s featured talent? Thomas Haas, famed chocolatier and the proprietor of Thomas Haas Fine Chocolates & Patisserie.

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Name: Thomas Haas

Occupation: Pastry chef

Birthdate: February 25, 1968 (really?!)

Horoscope sign: Pisces

Hometown: North Vancouver, BC

What’s your regular coffee order?  For the last nine months, it’s been a double Americano. Before that, I was a traditional cappuccino kind of guy.

What three items do you always keep in your purse/pockets? Credit card, iPhone (not at work!), dark chocolate

What was your first job? Pastry cook

Most memorable career moment to date: I was named Pastry chef of the Year in 1998, 1999 and 2000 in both New York City and Los Angeles.

If you weren’t in your current occupation, what would be your dream job?  I would love to be a great singer/musciian/entertainer (somebody who can bring happiness to people, other than through chocolate!).

Any embarrassing on-the-job moments you’d like to share? Too many to single one out!

Describe your cooking style in five words or less: Contemporary but not boring

What cooking trend or item are you dying to try/coveting for fall?  Trends are trends, but I love 49^th Parallel’s peanut butter & jelly doughnut! And I don't even like peanut butter!

The last item you bought for your kitchen: A super fast, super strong, super scary Robo Coupe blixer to puree anything and everything to a super-fine consistency. It gives me stiches on my hand just by looking at it... it’s so sharp!

What songs are on repeat on your iPod?  George Benson, Earth Wind & Fire, Luther Vandross.

Name one natural talent you wish you had:  Singing

Subject you could wax poetic about/that fascinates you:  Humanity.  Finding out what makes us tick and what makes us the best citizen we can be.

What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given?  Treat others as you would like to be treated! Always works.

What’s your personal mantra?  Be honest, kind, positive, and "go-go-go!"

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Thanks Thomas! Check back here next Thursday, August 30 to learn about the last (but not least) challenger: Chef Curtis Luk of Fable and Top Chef Canada.