Chef Series: Taszia Thakur of Calories

Saskatoon is well known for it’s amazing culinary scene! This new blog series will bring us past the dining room and behind those kitchen doors to meet the minds behind the magic! Welcome to Discover Saskatoon’s Chef series! 

This month we caught up with Taszia Thakur from Calories.

Photo credit: Darby Sutherland  

What inspired you to decide to cook professionally? 

I always loved cooking. My grade 8 home economics class is what started it. Then a trip out to PEI in grade 10 with my family. I visited the culinary institute there and had my heart set on it and that was that. 

What makes Calories unique? 

Photo credit: Darby Sutherland  

I think the fact that its been around for so long. We’ve always done what Calories has always done. I didn’t change it at all when I took over ownership in 2019. That’s because what we do here works so well.We have awesome relationships with all our farmers and producers. Some of those relationships are going on over 30 years now and I think that’s pretty special. 

Our menu is also unique. In addition to our lunch and dinner feature menus that change every single month based on what we have coming in the back door, we have our 'Anytime Menu' which you can always find the good old Calories classics like the Steak Frites, our local beef or lentil burger, Mussels Mariniere, etc.  Every month you can try something new or you can fall back on an old Calories classic. 

Photo credit: Darby Sutherland  

What is one of your favourite local ingredients to work with? 

Oh good question! Tomatoes are on the brain today, so I am going to say Tomatoes.