Tariq Hanna
Encyclopedia
Tariq Hanna is Executive Pastry Chef and partner of the Sucré
dessert boutique in New Orleans, Louisiana
. He was born and raised in Nigeria
, and after attending boarding school in England
, Tariq moved to the United States to attend Lawrence Technical University in Detroit, Michigan
. In an unforeseen move, Tariq enrolled himself in culinary school at Oakland Community College where he realized his true potential. His first job in the restaurant industry was working the sandwich board at a deli in South Field, Michigan named Sol’s Deli. 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. 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.
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. 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.
He also competed on TLC
's Ultimate Cake Off
episode 1 (Shark Summer) and episode 4 (Fourth of July); and the Food Network Challenge
(Incredible Edible Mansions).
Sucre
Sucre, also known historically as Charcas, La Plata and Chuquisaca is the constitutional capital of Bolivia and the capital of the department of Chuquisaca. Located in the south-central part of the country, Sucre lies at an elevation of 2750m...
dessert boutique in New Orleans, Louisiana
Louisiana
Louisiana is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America. Its capital is Baton Rouge and largest city is New Orleans. Louisiana is the only state in the U.S. with political subdivisions termed parishes, which are local governments equivalent to counties...
. He was born and raised in Nigeria
Nigeria
Nigeria , officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a federal constitutional republic comprising 36 states and its Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The country is located in West Africa and shares land borders with the Republic of Benin in the west, Chad and Cameroon in the east, and Niger in...
, and after attending boarding school in England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, Tariq moved to the United States to attend Lawrence Technical University in Detroit, Michigan
Michigan
Michigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
. In an unforeseen move, Tariq enrolled himself in culinary school at Oakland Community College where he realized his true potential. His first job in the restaurant industry was working the sandwich board at a deli in South Field, Michigan named Sol’s Deli. 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. 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
MotorCity Casino
MotorCity Casino Hotel in Detroit, Michigan is one of three casino resort hotels in the city, and one of four in the Detroit–Windsor area. The $825 million complex incorporates the historic Wagner Baking Company building designed c.1915 by architect Walter W. Ahlschlager, who went on to design the...
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
Food Network
Food Network is a television specialty channel that airs both one-time and recurring programs about food and cooking. Scripps Networks Interactive owns 70 percent of the network, with Tribune Company controlling the remaining 30 percent....
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.
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. 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.
He also competed on TLC
TLC (TV channel)
TLC is an American cable TV specialty channel which initially focused on educational content. Since 1991 TLC has been owned by Discovery Communications, the same company that operates the Discovery Channel, Animal Planet and The Science Channel, as well as other learning-themed networks...
's Ultimate Cake Off
Ultimate Cake Off
Ultimate Cake Off is an American television series that currently airs on TLC. The show is based on professional cake artists that go "head-to-head" in constructing cakes over five feet tall with the assistance of a team of chefs, designers etc. for a money prize. Season one of the series, hosted...
episode 1 (Shark Summer) and episode 4 (Fourth of July); and the Food Network Challenge
Food Network Challenge
Food Network Challenge is a competitive cooking television series that currently airs on the Food Network. Each episode, professional chefs compete in a timed competition in their professional specialty. The winner receives a check for $10,000 and a gold medal.-Format:The competitions are judged...
(Incredible Edible Mansions).
External links
- http://www.shopsucre.com/team.php