The GOODS from Thomas Haas
Vancouver, BC | As a way of expressing his appreciation to local chocolate lovers who have supported the renowned chocolatier over the years, Thomas Haas is celebrating his 10th anniversary by hosting 10 Delicious Days of Giveaways throughout Vancouver, with the chance to win a once-in-a-lifetime trip for two alongside Haas to the chocolate capital of the world, Brussels, Belgium.
Beginning Thurs., Nov. 19, Haas will take to the streets of the city he has called home for the last 20 years to hide 250 tickets over 10 consecutive days in 10 distinct neighbourhoods announced each morning. Lucky treasure seekers can redeem the vouchers — which range from $10 to $100 in value — for Thomas Haas confections at either of his North Vancouver or Kitsilano cafés.
As an added show of thanks, each ticket found will also give the bearer a chance to win the grand prize trip for two to Brussels — including a behind-the-scenes chocolate-fuelled tour with Haas himself, courtesy of Thomas Haas and Cacao Barry — by snapping a photo of the ticket and tagging @thaaschocolates on Instagram with the hashtag #THAASx10.
Those who miss out on the 10-day giveaway throughout Vancouver can still gain entry into the grand prize contest by taking a photo of Thomas Haas’ exclusive 10th Anniversary Chocolate Bar and sharing it on Instagram, tagging @thaaschocolates and the hashtag #THAASx10.
Haas’ collection of 10th Anniversary Chocolate Bars will feature an array of milk-, dark- and white-chocolate varieties, with a unique flavour introduced each month. Available starting Nov. 19, the limited-edition bars will be available at the two Thomas Haas cafés, online at www.thomashaas.com, as well as at select retailers including Gourmet Warehouse, Urban Fare (Shangri-La) and Whole Foods Market (Cambie, Downtown, Kitsilano and Park Royal).
The 10 Delicious Days of Giveaways will culminate with a special Customer Appreciation Day at Haas’ North Vancouver location (998 Harbourside Dr.) on Sat. Nov. 28 from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. that will feature complimentary treats and entertainment for all ages.
“It’s been 20 years since I came to Vancouver and a decade since my wife Lisa and I launched our first flagship café,” says Haas. “We want to thank our fans in a fun and exciting way that not only gives people a chance to win great prizes but also celebrates the city I have come to call home.”
Full contest details, rules and regulations are online at www.thomashaas.com/THAASx10.
DETAILS
North Shore Store | 128-998 Harbourside Drive | North Vancouver, BC V7P 3T2
Phone: 604.924.1847 | Fax: 604.904.7479
Hours: Tuesday – Saturday: 8am – 5:30pm | Sunday & Monday: Closed
Kitsilano Store | 2539 West Broadway | Vancouver, BC V6K 2E9
Phone: 604.736.1848 | Fax: 604.736.1844
Hours: Tuesday – Saturday: 8am – 5:30pm | Sunday & Monday: Closed
Web & Social Media: www.thomashaas.com | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook
GALLERY
About Thomas Haas Chocolates & Patisserie
A fourth-generation pâtissier, Thomas Haas was first introduced to the delicate art of hand-crafting chocolates and pastries in the kitchen of the venerable Café Konditorei Haas that was opened by his great-grandfather in the Black Forest region of Aichhalden, Germany in 1918. Thomas continued his family’s long-standing tradition, apprenticing and working with top chefs in Michelin-starred restaurants across Europe en route to earning his stripes as Konditormeister, or Master Pastry Chef.
In 1995, Thomas was lured to Vancouver in the role of Executive Pastry Chef at the Four Seasons Hotel, where he met his wife Lisa and was twice named a top-three finalist in the prestigious annual North American Pastry Chef of the Year competition in New York City. Thomas took an even larger bite of the Big Apple in 1998, when he moved to New York and, as Executive Pastry Chef, helped famed restaurateur and chef Daniel Boulud launch his flagship eatery Daniel on Manhattan’s Upper East Side. During his tenure, Thomas was singled out as one of the Top Ten Pastry Chefs in America by Chocolatier and Pastry Art and Design magazines and saw his star further rise when he made several appearances on Martha Stewart Living and other international television shows.
In 2000, the wild nature and scenic beauty of Canada’s West Coast again beckoned to Thomas and Lisa, and the duo returned to Vancouver. In between working as a consultant for a number of elite Vancouver restaurants and hotels, Thomas realized a lifelong dream by methodically building his namesake company from a home-based business occupying one room in his basement into a dynamic and stylish chocolaterie, patisserie and cappuccino bar that launched in North Vancouver in 2004 and quickly became a destination spot for both locals and visitors alike. In 2009, Thomas and Lisa opened a second location to similar rave reviews on West Broadway in the Kitsilano area of Vancouver.
In keeping with family custom, Thomas eschews the notion of assembly lines and mass production, trusting instead in the deft hands of his talented team of pastry chefs and chocolatiers whose finesse and sensitivity is lovingly expressed in each and every hand-spun confection.
To this day, Thomas still carefully selects and sources only the finest, high-quality raw ingredients for his chocolate creations, ranging from B.C. wine, oak barrel-aged maple syrup from Quebec, Tahitian vanilla beans, fresh citrus zest, loose-leaf teas and organic herbs and spices. His cakes and pastries are likewise adorned with authentic accents such as Fraser Valley hazelnuts and berries and Okanagan fruits and infused with fresh-roasted coffee as well as liqueurs from Alsace and the Black Forest region where he once called home.
While Thomas is a world away from his roots in the Haas family café, the values on which he was raised remain ever true: a commitment to excellence driven by a genuine passion for both food and the people he serves.
Awards & Accolades
North American Pastry Chef of the Year competition in New York City finishing in the top three finalists in 1997 and 1998. It was his fabulous desserts and exuberance that drew the famous restaurateur Daniel Boulud to Thomas.
While living in New York (1998 – 2000), Thomas was named one of the TOP TEN Pastry Chefs in America by Chocolatier and Pastry Art and Design magazines and appeared on Martha Stewart Living several times as well as many other international television shows.
In 2001, at the Valrhona National (North America) Pastry Team Championships in Los Angeles, Thomas won FIRST Prize in all categories (Best in Chocolate, Best in Sugar, Best in Table Design and Best Overall).
In 2002, The Vancouver Sun Restaurant Awards awarded Thomas/Senses with BEST Chocolates, BEST Desserts, BEST Croissant and BEST French Pastries.
The Vancouver Magazine awarded Thomas/Diva at the Met with BEST LAST COURSE for the years 2001, 02, 03, 04, 05, and 06.
The Vancouver Magazine has awarded Thomas Haas Patisserie with BEST LAST COURSE for the year 2007 and 2009. Vancouver Magazine awarded Thomas as the PASTRY CHEF OF THE YEAR for the year 2011 and 2013.
Thomas Haas Fine Chocolates was named one of the TOP 20 Artisan Chocolatiers in Chocolatier Magazine’s 20th anniversary issue (Feb/March 2004).
The Chamber of Commerce awarded Thomas Haas Patisserie “Business Person of the Year” in 2006 and the “Service Excellence Award” in 2008.
In 2010, Thomas Haas Chocolates received the TOP 10 CHOCOLATIER IN NORTH AMERICA by Pastry Arts and Design publication.