What do deconstructed brownies, coconut dusted chocolate lollipops with mango sticky rice, and pirate mole dumplings have in common?
They were three of the 24 entries in the Brooklyn Chocolate Experiment -- the third in a series of themed cooking competitions hosted by Nick Suarez and Theo Peck at the Bell House. I previously covered their wildly popular Brooklyn Beer and Cheese Experiments and this time I got myself on the press list!
Judges included Food52.com’s own Merrill Stubbs and Amanda Hesser. Yes, that Amanda Hesser that did a cameo of herself in Julie & Julia.
Jesse Forster & his Chocolate Stout Chipotle Chili
I was pleased to see previous contenders, and my personal favorites, Bonnie Suarez and the Working Class Foodies.
As expected, Bonnie’s serving station was a treat for the eyes, and her black beans simmered in bittersweet chocolate and garnished with roasted cauliflower and pork belly was a treat for the soul.
Bonnie Suarez's dazzling presentation
Competitor Roopa Kalyanaraman Marcello blew me away with her Thai Chocolate Ice Cream and mini cocoa cones. As the founder of her newly launched Raspberry Bakeshop, she had a level of professionalism that many of the competitors lacked. Her talents won both the judges’ and audience awards.
Check out Roopa's mini cones
A word about those coconut dusted chocolate lollipops with mango sticky rice: YIKES! I threw mine out after one confusing bite. I saw two women chewing on them and making strange faces. I asked them what they thought and after saying they didn’t get it, they threw theirs out too. Yes, sometimes there is too much experimentation.
Be afraid, be very afraid
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