Great Chefs: Specials Season 1 Episode 3 Specials: Chocolate Dreams

In Great Chefs season 1 episode 3 titled "Specials: Chocolate Dreams," viewers are taken on a journey through the delightful world of chocolate. The episode focuses on three talented chefs who showcase their skills in chocolate making and use the ingredient in various dishes.

The first chef, Jean-Yves Schillinger, from the two-star Michelin restaurant L'Auberge de l'Ill in France, presents his signature dish, a chocolate box filled with a variety of nuts, fruits, and spices. He begins by molding the box using dark chocolate and then fills it with a hazelnut praline, raisins soaked in champagne, candied ginger, and cinnamon sticks, among other ingredients. He concludes by garnishing the edible box with gold leaf and serving it with a cardamom-infused cream.

The second chef, Jean-Michel Lorain, from the two-star Michelin restaurant La Cote Saint Jacques in France, prepares a dish called "Noir, lait, blanc" or "Dark, Milk, White." Lorain's dish consists of three different types of chocolate mousse, each with varying degrees of cacao content, arranged beautifully on a plate. He finishes the desert by adding a few roasted cocoa beans and raspberry coulis.

The final chef, Philippe Boulot, from the Heathman Hotel in Portland, Oregon, makes a savory dish using chocolate. He prepares pan-seared foie gras with chocolate sauce, served on a bed of Brussels sprouts and garnished with lemon zest. The dish is both rich and flavorful, displaying a creative use of chocolate in traditional French cuisine.

Throughout the episode, each chef explains the technical aspects of working with chocolate and how to achieve the best results. Viewers are given a glimpse into the behind-the-scenes workings of Michelin-starred kitchens and watch as the chefs meticulously craft their creations.

The show also features interviews with artisans from the world of chocolate, including a chocolatier who explains the difference between chocolatiers and chocolate makers. The episode highlights the origins of chocolate and delves into its cultural and historical significance. We learn how the Mayans and the Aztecs were some of the first to consume chocolate and how it eventually made its way to Europe where it became a luxury item.

Great Chefs season 1 episode 3, "Specials: Chocolate Dreams," invites viewers to indulge their sweet tooth while exploring the many facets of chocolate. From sweet to savory, chocolate is used in different ways to create stunning dishes that are both delicious and visually appealing. The show educates us about the art and science of chocolate making, and allows us to appreciate this remarkable ingredient in a whole new way.