10’s brand new series, Dessert Masters, will bring the after-dinner treat to the next level, with the best of the best competing to be named the first-ever master of desserts.
While it’s hard to resist a cheeky bowl of vanilla ice cream with caramel topping on the couch after dinner, ten of Australia’s greatest pastry chefs, chocolate connoisseurs and baking experts have arrived to make fantastical desserts that would give the bowl of ice cream a run for its money.
A spinoff of Masterchef Australia, Dessert Masters differs from the amateur cook format, focusing on already established pastry chefs and their impeccable dessert techniques.
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With names such as Reynold Poernomo and Adriano Zumbo set to appear, judges Melissa Leong along with newcomer Amaury Guichon have got their work set out for them, although it’s arguable anyone would call it work.
While Leong is jumping over from MasterChef Australia, internationally renowned dessert chef Amaury Guichon is making his debut appearance as a judge. Known for his delicate sugar work and life-sized chocolate sculptures, Guichon is set to bring a fresh perspective to the world of the sweet tooth.
Mediaweek caught up with Sarah Thornton, Head of Non-Scripted at Paramount Australia to discuss the dynamic of the judges, how the new show is different from the MasterChef format and what determines the best of the best.
Thornton revealed that casting is all about balance, in terms of approach and flavours, but at the end of the day, it’s all about the food.
Sarah Thornton, Head of Non-Scripted, Paramount Australia
“It’s no different to when we cast for MasterChef, it comes down to the cooking,” she said.
“Given it’s a show about masters, we have to cast people considered not only the best of the best at their craft but also in terms of delivering beautiful, enticing desserts in a pressured environment.”
The MasterChef formula has proven to work wonders for 10, and Thorton says that Dessert Masters differs from MasterChef in more ways than one.
“I would say Dessert Masters is an homage to MasterChef, it has everything we love about the original show, but it has a very different feel, a distinct flavour if you will.
“The distinct flavour comes from the fact that desserts are just inherently fantastical, so I think every episode brings you into another sugary fantasy. It also helps that all of the contestants are at the top of their game, which means the food that is being turned out is genuinely impeccable.
“One might think that negates all risk or pressure, but I would say because of the calibre of the contest, there’s even more pressure for them.”
Inaugural judge Amaury Guichon brings a pastry prestige to a show already full of it, and fellow judge Melissa is set to bring her MasterChef merit to the battle of the best.
“I think both Mel and Amaury are brilliant on the show and have amazing chemistry that viewers will latch on to and they will also notice what they each bring to the judging process.
“Amaury’s presence speaks for itself. He was the youngest executive pastry chef in Paris at only 21 and is an utter perfectionist, and viewers will see that by the way he appears and holds himself. His eye for technical detail is next to none.
“What really binds Mel and Amaury is their deep love of food and the art of cooking. They are both just enjoying themselves so much across the series and it makes it such a better watch to see their chemistry drip off the screen.”
Paramount has confirmed that major MasterChef sponsors Coles and Harvey Norman are following the franchise into Dessert Masters.
Dessert Masters is produced by Endemol Shine Australia.
Dessert Masters premieres Sunday, November 12 at 7:30 pm on Channel 10 and 10 Play.