Tariq Hanna

Tariq Hanna is Executive Pastry Chef and partner of the Sucré dessert boutique in New Orleans, Louisiana.[1] He was born and raised in Nigeria, and after attending boarding school in England, Tariq moved to the United States to attend Lawrence Technological University in Detroit, Michigan. In an unforeseen move, Tariq enrolled himself in culinary school at Oakland Community College.[2] where he realized his true potential. His first job in the restaurant industry was working the sandwich board at a deli in Southfield, Michigan named Sol’s Deli.[3] While searching for jobs in hot food, Tariq dabbled in pastries on the side, soon discovering his talent and love for the art.

In 1993, Tariq opened his own family-operated pastry and catering shop, The Northville Gourmet, at the age of 24.[4] After six years of successful self-employment, Tariq was offered the opportunity of a lifetime as the first casino pastry chef in Detroit. In December 1999, MotorCity Casino opened in Detroit to rave reviews for its foodservice. It was here that Tariq immersed himself in all things pastry, from taking and teaching classes to performing in competitions on a local and national level.

During his tenure at MotorCity, Tariq participated in several cooking competitions on the Food Network including the National Bread and Pastry Championship, Chocolate Fantasy Competition, Cereal Bridges and Gingerbread Mansions Competition. In 2004, he was the first ever Central Region Pastry Chef of the Year and Runner-up National Pastry Chef of the Year by the American Culinary Federation.[5]

After seven years at MotorCity Casino, Tariq joined forces with New Orleans native restaurateur and entrepreneur Joel Dondis. Sucré was a vision of Joel’s for three years and as it came to life both Tariq and Joel began work to make the dream a reality. As a result of Tariq’s innovation in the field of pastries, he was named Pastry Chef of the Year in 2007 by New Orleans Magazine.[6] Tariq was also a finalist for Chef Magazine’s 2008 Chef of the Year and named best pastry chef in both the 2008 and 2009 New Orleans City Business Culinary Connoisseurs issues. [7][8]

He also competed on TLC's Ultimate Cake Off episode 1 (Shark Summer) and episode 4 (Fourth of July);[9] and the Food Network Challenge (Incredible Edible Mansions).[10]

References

  1. ↑ Newsweek | "Viva The New Big Easy" | http://www.newsweek.com/2008/09/19/viva-the-new-big-easy.html
  2. ↑ Arab Detroit | "Arab American Tariq Hanna Wins TLC’s ‘Ultimate Cake Off'" | http://www.arabdetroit.com/news.php?id=776
  3. ↑ We Live to Eat | "6 Questions for Tariq Hanna from Sucre" | http://welivetoeatnola.com/6-questions-for-tariq-hanna-sucre-pastry-chef/
  4. ↑ The Washington Times | "Superb Bread Pudding Sugars New Orleans | http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2009/mar/04/superb-bread-pudding/?page=1
  5. ↑ American Culinary Federation |"ACF Pastry Chef of the Year Award Winners" | http://www.acfchefs.org/Content/NavigationMenu2/Events/Awards/PCOY/Winners/default.htm
  6. ↑ New Orleans Magazine, December 2007
  7. ↑ New Orleans City Business, Culinary Connoisseurs, pg. 31. August 18, 2008,
  8. ↑ New Orleans City Business, Culinary Connoisseurs, pg. 34. April 2009
  9. ↑ http://tlc.discovery.com/tv/ultimate-cake-off/episode-guide-season-1.html
  10. ↑ http://www.foodnetwork.com/food-network-challenge/challenge-incredible-edible-mansions/index.html

External links

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