Thad Smith was born to bake and his art is apparent in every delicious dessert he bakes.

Before joining our company in 2002, Chef Thad worked extensively in New York City at world-renowned restaurants such as Les Celebrites, voted one of the top 5 hotel restaurants in the world, and was awarded the coveted five-diamond status; Cafe Botanica, located in the famed Essex House; Match Uptown, a sleek, Upper East Side eatery; and Match Downtown.

In 1999, Chef Thad joined the Chef and Captain of the prestigious U.S. Olympic Culinary Team, Chef Keith Coughenour at the nationally-ranked Duquesne Club. Along with many other highly talented chefs, Chef Thad worked at the highest levels of culinary excellence.

Chef Thad, in 2000, joined the Chicago-based Epicurean Experience and worked as the Executive Sous Chef for International events at the French Consulate General.

In 2002, we hired Chef Thad as our Executive Chef. His duties include tasty new bakery product development, new recipe development, quality testing (and tasting!), chef training and even food stylist for all of our bakery photography.

He is a graduate and recipient of the Grand Diploma at the French Culinary Institute where he studied with such culinary luminaries as Jacques Pepin (one of America's best-known chefs, cookbook authors, and cooking teachers), Alain Saihac and Andre Soltner.

Chef Thad currently resides in Chicago. His sinfully delicious desserts can be tasted all over the United States as they are now available right here. Enjoy!