Great Chocolate Showdown

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Great Chocolate Showdown
GenreFood reality television
Judges
Country of originCanada
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons4
No. of episodes29
Production
Running time44 minutes
Production companies
  • Nikki Ray Media Agency
  • Corus Studios[1]
Original release
NetworkFood Network
ReleaseFebruary 4, 2020 (2020-02-04) –
present

Great Chocolate Showdown is a Canadian cooking competition television series that airs on Food Network Canada, themed around chocolate baking and confections.[2] The show is carried in the United States by The CW Network.[1]

The first season of the series officially premiered on February 4, 2020,[2] with judges Steven Hodge, Anna Olson, and Cynthia Stroud. Episode 1, "The World Needs S'more People Like You", received a nomination for a Canadian Screen Award in the category of "Editing in a reality or competition program or series".[3] The second season premiered on February 22, 2021, while the third season debuted on March 1, 2022, retaining the same cast of judges. In May 2022, the CW renewed the series for a fourth season,[4] which premiered on August 5, 2023.[5]

The show features product placement from Purdy's Chocolates, which is the "official chocolate sponsor" of the show. Some challenges are presented by a representative of the company.[6][7]

Format[edit]

Each season begin with 1 amateur home bakers. After each episode, a contestant is eliminated, until a finale episode to determine the season winner. Episodes typically consist of two challenges: an initial "Technique Test" and a "Chocolate Elimination Challenge". Winners of the skills challenge receive either immunity from elimination, or an advantage in the elimination round. Season winners receive a grand prize of $50,000.[8]

Season 1[edit]

Contestants[7][edit]

  • Fadi Odeh – Dallas, Texas
  • Casey Hallen – New York City, New York
  • Craig Taylor – Vancouver, British Columbia
  • Andrew Keen – Falls Church, Virginia
  • Renu Mathew – Olds, Alberta
  • T. Lawrence-Simon – Somerville, Massachusetts
  • Venessa Liang – Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
  • Katie Rochin – Montreal, Quebec
  • Trinity Andrew – Los Angeles, California
  • Kathy Choffe — Aurora, Ontario

Episodes[edit]

No.Title[2]Original air date
1"The World Needs S'more People Like You"February 4, 2020 (2020-02-04)

  • Technique Test: Chocolate tempering. Won by Venessa; Fadi and Katie also received Immunity.
  • Elimination Challenge: Reinvent the S'more. Won by Casey. Craig, Andrew, Renu, and T were up for elimination. Craig was eliminated.
2"Choc Full of Impressions"February 11, 2020 (2020-02-11)

  • Technique Test: Create chocolate impressions from everyday items. Won by Kathy. Andrew and Renu also received immunity.
  • Elimination Challenge: Create a fruit-inspired dessert. Won by T. Venessa, Trinity, and Katie were up for elimination. Katie was eliminated.
3"Chocolate Panning, Spice & Everything Nice"February 18, 2020 (2020-02-18)

  • Technique Test: Chocolate panning (team challenge). Won by Fadi and Trinity.
  • Elimination Challenge: Pair chocolate with an aromatic herb or spice. Won by Renu. Kathy, Andrew, and T were up for elimination. Andrew was eliminated.
4"Mirror, Mirror on the Glaze"February 18, 2020 (2020-02-18)

  • Technique Test: Create a mirror glaze cake. Won by Kathy and Casey.
  • Elimination Challenge: Create a dessert inspired by cheesecake and Sweet Georgia Browns. Challenge introduced by chocolatier Rachel McKinley from Purdy's Chocolates. Won by Fadi. Renu, Trinity, and Vanessa were up for elimination. Trinity was eliminated.
5"I Have a Confection to Make"March 2, 2020 (2020-03-02)

  • Technique Test: Make a spectacle cake covered with a dozen chocolate bonbons. Won by Renu and Venessa.
  • Elimination Challenge: Reinvent the Black Forest Cake. Won by Kathy. Fadi, Casey, and T were up for elimination. Fadi was eliminated.
6"Life is What you Bake it"March 10, 2020 (2020-03-10)

  • Technique Test: Chocolate flowers. Won by Renu (no immunity).
  • Elimination Challenge: Pair chocolate with a savory element. Won by T. Kathy and Renu were up for elimination. Kathy was eliminated.
7"Don't Be Afraid to Take Whisks"March 17, 2020 (2020-03-17)

  • Technique Test: 3D Chocolate Molding. Won by Renu (no immunity).
  • Elimination Challenge: Make a dessert inspired by a Purdy's chocolate bar. Casey won the challenge and created the Peanut Butter Pretzel Bar with Purdy's. Venessa and Renu were up for elimination. Venessa was eliminated.
8"The Finale: Good Things Come to Those Who Bake"March 24, 2020 (2020-03-24)

  • Final Challenge: Create a chocolate "bake shop" composed of a centerpiece, six chocolate confections, a set of bonbons, and a dessert inspired by the first dessert the baker presented in Episode 1. Each baker worked with a previously eliminated contestant as an assistant. Casey won the challenge, and became the season champion.

Elimination Table[edit]

Place Team Episodes
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
1 Casey WIN SAFE† RISK WIN[a] WINNER
2–3 Renu RISK SAFE WIN RISK RISK† RISK† RUNNER-UP[b]
2–3 T RISK WIN RISK RISK WIN RUNNER-UP[b]
4 Vanessa SAFE† RISK RISK SAFE† ELIM
5 Kathy SAFE† RISK SAFE† WIN ELIM
6 Fadi SAFE SAFE† WIN ELIM
7 Trinity RISK SAFE† ELIM
8 Andrew RISK SAFE ELIM
9 Katie SAFE ELIM
10 Craig ELIM
  1. ^ Also won the opportunity to create a custom chocolate bar with Purdy's Chocolates.
  2. ^ a b Neither contestant was defined in terms of 2nd or 3rd place during the finale.

†The baker(s) that won in the first round.

  The baker won the Chocolate Elimination Challenge.
  The baker was safe from elimination.
  The baker was at risk of elimination after the Chocolate Elimination Challenge.
  The baker lost the Chocolate Elimination Challenge and was eliminated from the competition.
  The baker did not compete in the episode.

Season 2[edit]

Contestants[9][edit]

  • Sheldon Taylor-Timothy, 30 – Rehabilitation Assistant and Bouncer, Toronto, Ontario
  • Richard Martemucci, 56 – Retiree, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
  • Tam Truong, 42 – Real Estate Appraiser
  • Latice Williams, 37 – Dental Office Manager, McKinney, Texas
  • Jujhar Mann, 21 – Student, Surrey, British Columbia
  • Raphael Nishida, 32 – Commercial Operations Manager
  • Saudat (Sabby) Atta, 25 – IT Manager, Vancouver, British Columbia
  • Abbey White, 34 – Retail Operations Specialist
  • Atikah Mohamed, 35 – Campus Administrator, Toronto, Ontario
  • Ginny Lepp, 59 – Civil Servant, Toronto, Ontario

Episodes[edit]

No.Title[2]Original air date
1"Do You Have What it Bakes?"February 22, 2021 (2021-02-22)

  • Technique Test: Competitors create their own favourite chocolate dessert, but must also feature at least 2 tempered chocolate garnishes.
  • Elimination Challenge: Each competitor in the elimination must make a chocolate dessert that best represents themselves.
2"Where There's a Whisk, There's a Way"March 1, 2021 (2021-03-01)

  • Technique Test: Hold a chocolate dessert by using a chocolate impression vessel.
  • Elimination Challenge: Each competitor in the elimination must make a chocolate dessert using two ingredients that each competitor selected randomly.
3"It's Time to Glaze the Bar"March 8, 2021 (2021-03-08)

  • Technique Test: Competitors are paired up to create a chocolate galaxy mirror glaze cake.
  • Elimination Challenge: Competitors have to identify the flavours of 6 mystery chocolates and then must select a complete ingredient box to use to create a chocolate dessert.
4"Moved to Tiers"March 15, 2021 (2021-03-15)

  • Technique Test: Bakes 3 mini-cakes using the 3 techniques demonstrated by Cynthia Stroud.
  • Elimination Challenge: Create a modern take of a classic dessert that each competitor selects at random.
5"Donut Give Up"March 22, 2021 (2021-03-22)

  • Technique Test: Competitors are paired up to create a chocolate sculpture at least 18 inches tall that must hold 6 desserts.
  • Elimination Challenge: Bake a dozen gourmet donuts based on each competitor's own sweet memory.
6"Bake It Till You Make it"March 29, 2021 (2021-03-29)

  • Technique Test: Create a dozen bonbons, with each bonbon containing 2 different fillings, as well as a dessert resembling a giant version of the bonbon.
  • Elimination Challenge: Create a dessert that shows chocolate in solid, liquid, and gas forms.
7"A Legend in the Baking"April 5, 2021 (2021-04-05)

  • Technique Test: Create a theatrical dessert that features a chocolate reveal.
  • Elimination Challenge: Create a chocolate dessert based on an interpretation of an art painting.
8"You Bake My Dreams Come True"April 12, 2021 (2021-04-12)

  • Final Challenge: Each of the 3 finalists are asked to create a fantasy chocolate bakeshop which includes mille-feuille, charlotte russe, and battenberg cake. Three previously eliminated competitors serve as assistants to the finalists.

Season 3[edit]

Contestants[10][edit]

  • Amber Horn, 43, Bartender, Las Vegas, Nevada
  • Bri Brown, 33, Office Manager, Detroit, Michigan
  • Connie Kazan, 42, Stay-at-home Mom, Dearborn, Michigan
  • Evan Morgan-Newpher, 31, Zoo Guest Services Manager, Tulsa, Oklahoma
  • Gavan Knox, 44, Stay-at-home Dad, Scarborough, Ontario
  • Ian Frias, 28, Finance Manager, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
  • Lexi Christiansen, 24, Model, Vancouver, British Columbia
  • Maile Crewdson, 35, Stay-at-home Mom, Maui, Hawaii
  • Shyam Rethinavelu, 34, Fashion Stylist, San Francisco, California
  • Vince Driver, 31, Freelance Artist, Atlanta, Georgia

Episodes[edit]

No.Title[2]Original air date
1"A Sweet Meet and Greet"March 1, 2022 (2022-03-01)

  • Technique Test: Replicate Steve Hodge's chocolate carousel and fill it with 6 mini desserts.
  • Elimination Challenge: Create a chocolate dessert inspired by the item picked by each competitor from the Cabinet of Curiosities.
2"Mad About Choux"March 8, 2022 (2022-03-08)

  • Technique Test: Create and shape 3 playful choux desserts based on each competitor's preference.
  • Elimination Challenge: Create an ice cream sandwich using the baked good randomly selected by each competitor.
3"Veggies For Dessert"March 15, 2022 (2022-03-15)

  • Technique Test: Create a chocolate form studded by candy on the outside, while also containing salt water taffy and hard candy on the inside.
  • Elimination Challenge: Create a chocolate dessert featuring a vegetable randomly selected by each competitor.
4"A History in the Baking"March 22, 2022 (2022-03-22)

  • Technique Test: Create hand-made chocolate pasta.
  • Elimination Challenge: Create a brunch dish inspired by a favourite dessert from each competitor's childhood with the brunch dish choice randomly selected by each competitor.
5"Let's Par-Tea"March 29, 2022 (2022-03-29)

  • Technique Test: Create an anti-gravity cake with a theme that features chocolate.
  • Elimination Challenge: Create 2 chocolate tea party desserts using a tea type randomly selected by each competitor.
6"Bakes in Full Bloom"April 5, 2022 (2022-04-05)

  • Technique Test: Create a work of art using two different flavours of truffles.
  • Elimination Challenge: Create a chocolate cake that showcases a flower picked at random by each competitor.
7"Haute Chocolate"April 12, 2022 (2022-04-12)

  • Technique Test: Create two different flavours of macarons as well as a macaronade based on a theme randomly selected by each competitor.
  • Elimination Challenge: Create a dessert inspired by a haute couture garment randomly selected by each competitor.
8"The Finale: Once Upon a Baker..."April 19, 2022 (2022-04-19)

  • Final Challenge: Each of the three finalists has four challenges: 1. Create a dessert as an Ode to a Loved One who initially inspired each competitor's love for baking, 2. Master a dessert that is the Judge's Choice 3. Create a playful and surprising Interactive Dessert 4. Create a Dazzling Showpiece. Each finalist is paired up with one of three previously eliminated competitors to serve as assistants.

Season 4[edit]

Contestants[edit]

  • Timothy Eford, 35, Police Detective, Atlanta, Georgia
  • Mike Casner, 38, Emergency Physician, Chicago, Illinois
  • Charli Coakley, 43, Music Teacher, Jacksonville, North Carolina
  • Ashlee Pridgen, 33, Medical Assistant, Baltimore, Maryland
  • Jayln "Raplheal" Williams, 27, Retired U.S. Army Soldier, Fayetteville, North Carolina
  • Meredith Bridges, 35, Stay-at-home Mom, Temple, Texas
  • Donna Kim, 50, Props Builder, Langley, British Columbia
  • Emma Lee Young, 23, Health Records Clerk, Coquitlam, British Columbia
  • Ally Hrbachek, 30, Stay-at-home Mom, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
  • Kristen Washington, 23, Food Delivery Driver, Jackson, Mississippi

Episodes[edit]

No.Title[2]Original air date Viewers
(millions)		Rating
(18-49)
1"Let the Games Begin"August 5, 2023 (2023-08-05)0.260[11]0.03/0[11]

  • Technique Test: Create a tempered chocolate Tic Tac Toe board with 4 mini desserts to represent the X's and O's.
  • Elimination Challenge: Create a cakescape with a minimum of 3 double layer cakes.
2"Think Outside the Bar"August 12, 2023 (2023-08-12)0.288[12]0.05/1[12]

  • Technique Test: Create a three-dimensional chocolate bar containing nougat. The winner of this challenge receives the Golden Whisk.
  • Elimination Challenge: Create a dessert showcasing a harmonious pairing of chocolate and cheese.
3"Pie Society"August 19, 2023 (2023-08-19)0.304[13]0.05/1[13]

  • Technique Test: Create a chocolatey pie featuring a creative, artfully decorated top.
  • Elimination Challenge: Create a chocolate dessert featuring one of these randomly selected basic taste sensations: salty, sour, bitter, savoury, spicy.
4"Best Fruit Forward"August 26, 2023 (2023-08-26)0.359[14]0.06/1[14]

  • Technique Test: Create a pate de fruits to cover a cast chocolate mold as well as using it on a mini chocolate dessert.
  • Elimination Challenge: Create a set of 3 entremets that resemble a piece of fruit. The entremets must have the flavour of that fruit and chocolate.
5"World of Flavour"September 2, 2023 (2023-09-02)0.310[15]0.04/0[15]

  • Technique Test: With the immunity off the table, the top six bakers pair up to build a magnificent meringue tower.
  • Elimination Challenge: After receiving a postcard from home, the bakers embark on a sweet journey and deliver a dessert showcasing an international ingredient.
6"Lights, Camera, Chocolate!"September 16, 2023 (2023-09-16)0.350[16]0.05/1[16]

  • Technique Test: Create a dessert made of chocolate bread in the shape of a classic deli sandwich.
  • Elimination Challenge: Create a chocolate dessert based on a particular movie genre.
7"Sweet Suspensions"September 30, 2023 (2023-09-30)N/ATBA

  • Technique Test: Create a chocolate trifle terrarium.
  • Elimination Challenge: Create a suspended cake made of three layers with a randomly selected theme.
8"A Tale of Three Bakers"October 7, 2023 (2023-10-07)N/ATBA
Each of the three finalists has four challenges: 1. Create an elevated version of the very first dessert baked at the start of the season, 2. Create a tribute dessert dedicated to someone loved by each finalist, 3. Create a specific dessert chosen by the judges, 4. Create a Stunning Showpiece. Each finalist is paired up with one of three past champions from the previous 3 seasons to serve as assistants.

International broadcasts[edit]

In January 2021, The CW picked up the series for broadcast in the United States.[1] It premiered on the channel on January 29, 2022.[17] The third season premiered on August 11, 2022.[18] The fourth season premiered on August 5, 2023.

In Australia, it premiered on the Lifestyle Food channel on November 11, 2021.[19]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c Petski, Denise (January 27, 2021). "The CW Picks Up Canadian Dessert Competition Series Great Chocolate Showdown". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on February 14, 2021. Retrieved August 14, 2021.
  2. ^ a b c d e f "Great Chocolate Showdown (TV Series 2020– ) - IMDb". IMDb. Amazon.com. Archived from the original on August 15, 2021. Retrieved August 14, 2021.
  3. ^ "2021 Best Picture Editing, Reality/Competition". Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television. Archived from the original on August 15, 2021. Retrieved August 15, 2021.
  4. ^ "The CW Network Announces Slate of Original Scripted And Unscripted Programming for Summer 2023" (Press release). The CW. May 10, 2023. Retrieved August 6, 2023 – via The Futon Critic.
  5. ^ Starling, Morgan (August 4, 2023). "Jacksonville native to appear on baking competition show beginning this Saturday on The CW". Jacksonville Daily News. Retrieved August 6, 2023.
  6. ^ "Great Chocolate Showdown". Purdys Chocolatier. Archived from the original on January 21, 2021. Retrieved August 14, 2021.
  7. ^ a b "FOOD NETWORK CANADA'S DECADENT DESSERT COMPETITION SERIES GREAT CHOCOLATE SHOWDOWN DEBUTS ON FEBRUARY 4 AT 9 P.M. ET/PT". Corus Entertainment (Press release). December 5, 2019. Archived from the original on August 15, 2021. Retrieved August 15, 2021.
  8. ^ "Food Network Canada sets premiere for "Great Chocolate Showdown"". December 6, 2019. Archived from the original on February 11, 2021. Retrieved August 14, 2021.
  9. ^ "CORUS STUDIOS GREAT CHOCOLATE SHOWDOWN RETURNS FOR ANOTHER SEASON OF SWEET VICTORY STARTING FEBRUARY 22 AT 10 P.M. ET/PT ON FOOD NETWORK CANADA". Corus Entertainment (Press release). February 1, 2021. Archived from the original on August 15, 2021. Retrieved August 15, 2021.
  10. ^ Amber Dowling. "Meet This Year's Great Chocolate Showdown Contestants". Corus Entertainment. Retrieved January 22, 2022.
  11. ^ a b Pucci, Douglas (August 6, 2023). "Saturday Ratings: Fox Tops Broadcast Demos Despite Late Prime Start of Women's World Cup Soccer". Programming Insider. Retrieved August 9, 2023.
  12. ^ a b Pucci, Douglas (August 13, 2023). "Saturday Ratings: NFL Preseason Action Televised in Select Local Markets". Programming Insider. Retrieved August 15, 2023.
  13. ^ a b Pucci, Douglas (August 20, 2023). "Saturday Ratings: Stand Up To Cancer Special Draws Nearly 3 Million Viewers Combined on Big-4 Networks". Programming Insider. Retrieved August 23, 2023.
  14. ^ a b Pucci, Douglas (August 27, 2023). "Saturday Ratings: NFL Preseason in Local Markets Top Sports-Laden Night". Programming Insider. Retrieved August 30, 2023.
  15. ^ a b Pucci, Douglas (September 3, 2023). "Saturday Ratings: College Football Omnipresent in Prime Time, Including on ABC, NBC and CBS". Programming Insider. Retrieved September 10, 2023.
  16. ^ a b Pucci, Douglas (September 17, 2023). "Saturday Ratings: ESPN Likely to Top Prime Time with its College Football Doubleheader". Programming Insider. Retrieved September 19, 2023.
  17. ^ Denise Petski (January 22, 2022). "The TVLine-Up: What's New, Returning and Leaving the Week of Jan. 23". TVLine. Retrieved August 12, 2022.
  18. ^ "Maui mom takes home $50,000 and bragging rights in Food Network's 'chocolate showdown'". Hawaii News Now. August 11, 2022. Retrieved August 12, 2022.
  19. ^ "Epic new cooking competition the GREAT CHOCOLATE SHOWDOWN". TV Blackbox. November 11, 2021. Retrieved August 12, 2022.
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