The "Lancaster Chef Wins 'Chopped Sweets' Award Of $10,000" Story

Chef Cedric Barbaret at his restaurant at 26 E. King Street.

It was an ordinary day.  Watching Chef Cedric Barbaret, who owns Bistro Barbaret & Bakery in the first block of East King Street in downtown Lancaster, Pennsylvania work his charm on the Food Network's "Chopped Sweets" pastry competition.  A few months ago I wrote about another Lancaster County chef, Laura Merkel of nearby Ephrata who won $10,000 on an episode of Food Network's "Chopped."  But, being that I enjoy desserts and sweets, this was a really neat experience to cheer on someone who could make my mouth water just watching him prepare his "sweet" treats.  Chef Cedric went against three other highly skilled pastry chefs who wanted the big prize just as he did.  But, saying you are the "Chopped Sweet" champion carries that little extra bit of notoriety needed to claim your Bistro Barbaret & Bakery is the best in the nation.  

The first round of competition featured items listed here.

Cedric and his wife Estelle opened their business in 2015.  Cedric is a native of Ville- franche-sur-Saone which is outside Lyon, France.  He began his baking career in his father's pastry shop.  Before moving to Lancaster, he worked at prestigious restaurants Le Bec-Fin and Buddakan in Philadelphia, PA.  He was also the executive pastry chef at Mar-a-Lago in West Palm Beach.  In 2016 he was named one of the top 10 pastry chefs in America by Dessert Professional Magazine. Seems they will now have to change that to #1 all by himself.  On the show tonight, Cedric had to incorporate unusual "mystery basket" ingredients into his pastry presentations.  He had to create three sweet treats based on strawberry, vanilla and chocolate challenges on the Neapolitan-themed show.  The sweet treats were judged by Matt Adlard and Dan Langan as well as show host Scott Conant.  

Cedric's strawberry round presentation.

In the strawberry round Cedric had to incorporate century eggs, which is said to be a strong smelling egg which looked gross, cilantro, strawberry crispy rice treats and strawberry liqueur into his dessert.  He met the challenge by creating a bright-looking dish, plated around the edge of his serving dish.  He created a strawberry gelée with cilantro-mascarpone cream with a rice treat crumble.  The judges called it an immaculate  presentation and advanced him to the next round.  

The vanilla round presentation.

Each round one contestant is eliminated until a winner is declared after the third round.  In the vanilla round, the remaining three chefs had to incorporate a rotisserie chicken, vanilla chai latte mix and dried apricots into a dessert.  Cedric wowed the judges with a bourbon-apricot floating island with chai latte-vanilla Anglaise which featured poached meringues, sugar work, gold leaf and bits of crispy skin on top.  You had to see it to appreciate the artistry displayed in his creation.  

The ingredients for the third round drew a smile from Cedric.

One judge called the dish "sublime" and Cedric advanced to the final round where the two best chefs faced off.  In the chocolate round the contestants had to use a 24-layer chocolate cake, chocolate wine, frozen mixed berries and honey-mustard dressing which drew a smile from Cedric when he viewed the dressing bottle.  

The chocolate round presentation.

Up to this point, it was hard to see a smile the entire time on Cedric's face who approached the competition with workman-like vim and vigor.  He created what he called his flexible chocolate ganache with honey-mustard whipped cream and a chocolate cake-wine sauce.  

Cedric was crowned "Chopped Sweets" Champion.

By the time the final round began, the room tempera- ture was very warm which caused the chocolate to melt faster than it should and he was disappoint- ed in his chocolate dish.  When the judge lifted the top on the dessert tray to display the winning entry, Cedric said he was surprised when he was declared champion.  

Cedric being congratulated by the judges.

His bakery in downtown Lancaster was probably busy when he returned.  Since he has carry-out, his restaurant is still open during the current medical crisis.   When Laura won her award I had to visit to buy a few cookies and I will now have to make a visit to sample the sweet treats that the best pastry chef in the United States creates.  How many cities in the country can lay claim to two of the best cooks/chefs in the country?  One...Lancaster, Pennsylvania!  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.