Dynamic Haitian Cynthia “Chef Thia” Verna is a culinary expert specializing in gourmet Caribbean-fusion cuisine. She is an accomplished author, social media tastemaker and national cooking show host. She has worked at prestigious culinary establishments, represented Haitian embassies in three continents, and has become the first female winner of the Global Chef Challenge, besting master chefs from 36 countries around the world. She is also the first Haitian to host a national cooking show, PBS and Create TV series Taste the Islands. Chef Thia has authored two popular books including a memoir of her assault survival story called Ordeals, and her current release, a cookbook called 50 Favorite Haitian Recipes.