Madeline
Amaury Guichon is the chocolate guy. His School of Chocolate in Las Vegas is one that pastry chefs of all levels aspire to attend and now there is a Netflix show to show the interworking of this school. School of Chocolate is a reality competition show like many others including Top Chef with Padma Lakshmi, except no one is illuminated and the audience gets to learn the techniques along with the cast.
Premise of School of Chocolate
Each episode consists of two challenges. The first college is an individual challenge where they test out and attempt the new technique they learned. For everyone who is not at the bottom in the individual challenge moves into the next challenge where they work in groups to create a large sculpture with a specific theme or technique. At the end of the episode there is a “best in show” crowned. At the end of the season, the two people with the most “best in show”s compete for the crown including $25,000 to do what they want in their pastry dreams.
The Techniques
I am not a pastry chef, but I have to admit that one of the most interesting parts of the show was learning about the different techniques. There is a technique where sugar is used to look like glass. One to make a shiny surface. One for flowers and hinges. And even one of gooeyness. Learning these techniques and seeing how these professionals deal with them give a new respect for pastry chefs.
Final Thoughts
I am not a pastry chef and have no interest in ever becoming one. That being said, I was amazed by the techniques and the chocolate sculptures that The School of Chocolate brought to Netflix. And it does not hurt that Amaury Guichon is not bad on the eyes. My guess is that there will be a second season and I will be watching it. I will also be watching the third, forth, and fifth.
