Kings of Pastry (2010)
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Critic Reviews for Kings of Pastry
All Critics (35) | Top Critics (16) | Fresh (30) | Rotten (5) | DVD (2)
The makers are left, finally, a few cookies short.
The Food Network is awash with cooking- and baking-competition shows, but The Kings of Pastry operates on a much higher level.
Documentary peeking into a high-stakes French competition will fascinate foodies.
The documentary proves almost as sweet as its subject.
What makes Kings of Pastry more than a sugar-coated showcase of culinary porn is its emphasis on the individual human dramas that exist behind all of these delicacies.
As satisfying as, er, pain au chocolat.
Audience Reviews for Kings of Pastry
If you are interested in the culinary arts, you will probably like this documentary about three of the 16 chefs seeking the Maitre Ouvrier de France designation; if you're looking for an uplifting tale of overcoming adversity, you'll be mostly satisfied, though the director's angle leaves a little to be desired - it kind of felt like he just turned the camera on. The low budget filming bothered me, too. Interesting enough, and not much "wrong with it," but it just wasn't my cup of tea.
Super Reviewer
"Kings of Pastry" is an interesting documentary about the Meilleur Ouvrier de France competition held once every four years with a spotlight on Jacquy Pfeiffer of the French Pastry School of Chicago. To borrow a phrase from one of the judges, it is kind of like the olympics for pastry chefs in that not only have their entire careers been building to this one moment, it also entirely depends on what they do in competition which is stretched over three days. This time, the theme is weddings with a surprise in store for the chefs. Since this is a great honor that goes just beyond the cool tricolor collars, the judges watch the chefs like hawks in order to make sure they stick closely to the rules, so only the best have a chance. They are not the only ones as the cameras follow the chefs around as they create their concoctions which have to be handled as delicately as possible, giving new meaning to the phrase "agony of defeat." In fact, the judges root for their fellow chefs to make it, as the chief judge cries when he reveals how few actually qualified at the end. Even then, there is a happy ending for the film. However, the documentary did not make me hungry. Well, I wouldn't mind one of those lollipops.
Super Reviewer
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