Are you a "Sweet Genius?"

Photo by Food Network

Any of you who watch the Food Network regularly have probably seen the hit show “Sweet Genius.”  The show is returning for a second season starting March 15 on the Food Network Channel.  Pastry chefs from around the country compete for a $10,000 prize.  It’s kind of like an “Iron Chef” or “Chopped” competition where the chefs only create decadent and sweet desserts.

The host of the show is also the judge.  His name is Ron Ben-Israel and he is a renowned dessert master and pastry chef.  He is the owner of “Ron Ben-Israel Cakes” in Manhattan.  The business was started in 1999 and has become one of the most prestigious bakeries in the country.  Ron’s cakes are delivered all over the United States and abroad.

Honestly, I had never heard of Ron Ben-Israel before the show started.  I guess I wanted to learn a little more about him and share it with you.  Ron used to be a professional modern dancer before entering the world of pastry arts.  He also served in the Israeli Army.  The rigorous training from both careers helped him pursue the world of pastry. 

As a young child he was inspired by his Viennese mother’s culinary talents.  Martha Stewart is credited for discovering Ron and his masterful cakes when he arrived in New York to start his business. Each cake that Ron creates is just as important to him as the first one.  He never loses his passion for making the best, most decadent cake for any special occasion.

Ron is also a master pastry instructor at the International Culinary Center in New York City.  He has won gold medals for his pastry achievements.  The famous Zagat Survey has said “he’s the wedding cake master.”  He participates in many fund raising events to give back to the community.

It just goes to show that anyone can become a master pastry chef if they really pursue it.  Ron has taken that direction and has given the world some of the best desserts ever imagined.  I am looking forward to watching the new season of “Sweet Genius” to help inspire me as an amateur chef to create decadent desserts!

Happy Baking,

Pam

Sources:  foodnetwork.com and weddingcakes.com