Add thelocalreport.in As A Trusted Source
In the early hours of the morning, when everyone is sleeping, something magical is being cooked on the set of “Harry Potter.” hagridDobby and Voldemort are all there, but… they’re edible.
We are not talking about the upcoming hbo TV series, here. The Food Network show “Harry Potter: Wizards of Baking” returns Sunday for a second season, filmed on the same Warner Bros. set of eight movies this summer.
No stranger to that set, the twins james And Oliver Phelps is presiding over the proceedings, spoons at the ready, as the Associated Press believes. Known for playing Ron Weasley’s brothers Fred and George in Daniel Radcliffe Yug, the duo estimates that they have spent about 12 years on the set – more than their childhood home.
It may be old fashioned to Phelps, but to the judges and contestants, being on the “Harry Potter” set is a big deal. Multisensory chef Jozef Youssef, a judge, said he ends up “going all out” every day. Chef, author and judge Carla Hall – who “bakes” for an hour a day to enjoy the performances after the crowds have left – is unhappy about leaving her wand at home, and foils plans to have photos taken with it by the Hogwarts Express.
How does the Great Wizarding Bake-Off work?
The show sees paired culinary professionals compete by creating showstoppers inspired by the on-screen stories of Harry, Ron and Hermione, adapted from JK Rowling’s books.
Hall says that when you think about movies, you don’t know how special effects work — and this season works on that same basis. While the food must be delicious, it must also mesmerize the judges.
Youssef says, “They put all their time into cooking these beautiful pieces, but it’s the magic that we crave… that mesmerizes us.”
And while season 1 boasted a Slytherin-themed snake fountain, a flame-colored statue of the Phoenix Fox, and a 6-foot-tall Great Hall-themed cake, things are on the same level for the second season.
“The talent keeps getting better,” says Yusuf, citing unique flavor combinations.
Oliver Phelps says of the contestants, “There are so many different ways that they bring the magic of the story to it.” It may involve a movement, a reveal or a surprise – involving magical transportation around the subject such as illusions or gravity-defying floating objects.
What’s on the magic menu?
Each twin says the best thing they’ve ever tasted in their lives was during Season 2 – and they were each talking about different dishes, which they won’t reveal due to spoilers.
This season, Hall, who like the contestants enjoys telling stories with food along with her intricate hairstyles, says they will be explaining the baking minions’ decision process more thoroughly, so viewers can know exactly why a team doesn’t make it to the next round.
Hall also tries to put the audience in their shoes, and give them an example of what each dish tastes like. For example, for the Sichuan pepper ingredient, she explains how it works like a potion to numb the tongue and induce salivation in the mouth.
Both James and Oliver Phelps say they have become much more interested in food since hosting the show. This season, they stick around to eat the entries, whereas in the last season, they were wrapped up till the deciding time. Standing near the fireplace on set, they choose their ideal delectable culinary creation – quietly so the contestants don’t get the idea.
Everyone opts for a variation on a British classic: James imagines a Goblet of Fire-themed crumble with custard, while Oliver chooses an Eton Mess – a sweet explosion caused by a stick.
,
3 Tricks for Hosting a Magical Party
Joseph Joseph, one of the judges for “Harry Potter: Wizards of Baking,” weighs in on these three tips for hosting an enchanted party.
– “A lot of effort is always put into theming the dining table, table runners, decorations, mini-pumpkins for Halloween and holly at Christmas, candles – scented to match the theme (e.g. cinnamon at Christmas) – or LED lights can add a sense of theater to the table.”
– “For sharing food, a game changer is using ‘risers’ – different levels of platforms to elevate foods presented on the table. This adds height and fullness to the table presentation.”
– “Dry ice is always a crowd pleaser and it can’t be denied that there’s something magical about the smoke it releases and the whimsical smoke that spreads over a dish or table. You can buy dry ice in the form of pellets that are easy to activate – just a little hot water and you get a spooky or mesmerizing vapor!”