Behind the Scenes of Sweet Genius

Take a peek at the second season of Sweet Genius, and relive the best moments from the first season's competitions.

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Photo By: David Lang ©David Lang2012, Television Food Network, GP

Photo By: David Lang ©David Lang2011, Television Food Network, GP

Introducing: Chef Ron Ben-Israel

Chef Ron Ben-Israel is the host of this sugary competition and judges each finalist's exquisite desserts.

Painting On Perfection

A renowned New York City-based wedding cake decorator, Chef Ron brushes edible metallic paint to add a glimmer of shimmer to his elegant design.

A Stroke of Genius

Enrobed in a thin layer of fondant, this three-tiered edible masterpiece is topped with pastel sugar flowers and greenery.

Inside the Baking Arena

Stocked with an industrial-sized mixer, several ovens and dozens of bowls, tools and baking pans, the Sweet Genius kitchen is equipped to turn out endless works of culinary art.

Impromptu Performance

A former professional dancer as well as a skilled pastry chef, Ron is no stranger to the moves of classical ballet.

Sugary Confections

Candy, chocolate and sprinkles are just a few of the sweet, colorful adornments chefs can incorporate into and use to finish their delectable creations.

Constructive Criticism to Follow

Chef Ron studies one chef’s whimsical dessert before tasting to see if its flavor matches its beauty. Behind Ron is a towering cake that was made at his own bakery, Ron Ben-Israel Cakes.

Wild and Exotic

Daffodil, a shiny Albino Python, stops by the set of Sweet Genius. Is she merely Ron's new pet, or will she serve as the ultimate live inspiration for the group of competitors?

Behind the Scenes of Season One

Relive the best, most exciting moments from the first season of this sugar-packed series.

Bonsai on the Brain

In the series premiere, Chef Mauricio Santelice and the other competitors were challenged in the first test to create a sweet dish inspired by the Zen bonsai tree.

Watch Your Fingers

Chef Paula Shoyer is ready to crack the shell of an extra-large ostrich egg, to be used in a dessert featuring warm curry powder and durian fruit.

Focused on Figs

Chef Colleen Grapes is studying her station as she prepares to work with the bitter karela fruit and figs in her dessert dish.

Frozen Friend or Foe?

Chef Patricia Banker uses the ice cream machine, often one of the most temperamental devices in the kitchen, to make a lavender-lemon frozen sweet.

Time's Up

At the last moment, Chef Trevor Burroughs finishes plating his pearled oyster-inspired dessert.

Chocolate Air Balloon

Chef Manabu Inoue drizzles chocolate atop a balloon to incorporate the concept of air into his dish.

Pastry Pantry

The shelves of this pantry are stacked high with various tools, gadgets and ingredients that may be necessary to create a genius dessert.

Just Checking

Host Ron Ben-Israel looks in on Chef Martin Howard as the latter prepares his dish that will feature frozen peaches and cactus-like nopales.

Cotton Candy Concoction

Chef Amos Hayon places a light and airy cotton-like topping on his dessert, which features salt and vinegar potato chips and Brie cheese and is served in a jar.

A Sweet Refresh

A sprinkle of orange zest will lighten the flavor of Chef Chad Durkin's dish, which will include chewy bubble gum and fresh rainbow carrots.

Salty and Sweet

Cheese puffs are a mandatory ingredient in this test. Their subtle crunch adds texture, though their airy lightness will not weigh down the dessert.

The Hotter, the Better

Tasked with incorporating aspects of fire into his dessert, Chef Reggie Abalos torches thin rice paper to be served along with a scoop of cheese puff-coated ice cream.

Dry Drama

Chef Katie Rosenhouse wants to add drama to her dish that must feature frozen fruit pops and silken tofu and be inspired by whimsically wafting dry ice.

Mr. Sweet Genius

Host Ron Ben-Israel expects masterful genius in each sweet dessert, no matter its odd ingredients.

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