Raymond Blancs Kitchen Secrets

Im a complete foodie who loves to watch every food-related show on different television channels. While Nigella Lawson,Anjum Anand and Rachel Allen are my personal favourites,what with their glamour quotient and innovative recipes,I was pleasantly surprised when I recently saw Raymond Blancs Kitchen Secrets. What makes Blanc different from these food goddesses is his affable nature,his lovable French accent reminds me of Inspector Jack Clouseau of the Pink Panther series and easy-to-cook recipes.

The first episode dedicated to chocolate starts off with Blanc telling viewers Even the most complicated dish is not difficult to make. This in a nutshell is what the whole series is all about the Michelin star chef demystifies the tricks of haute cuisine and demonstrates the secret techniques of creating food that will impress without the need for elaborate ingredients or equipment. Set against the backdrop of Blancs working kitchen,each episode features a key ingredient which can be used in different dishes.

Rather than a typical food show,the series has been shot like a documentary with a female voiceover,who introduces us to Blanc and tells what we can expect from each episode.

Blanc starts off with chocolate mousse which he promises can be made within 10 minutes. And he does manage to whip up a mind- boggling mousse within the stipulated time frame by using dark chocolate,castor sugar and egg yolks. Apart from the simple recipe,this series strikes a chord with you also because couple of times,Blanc commits some mistakes. For instance,while separating the yolks from the egg whites,he ended up mixing up both of them. Similarly while making café crème,the thermometer used for measuring the right temperature slips from his hand and falls into the bowl of dense chocolate. Rather than being embarrassed about it,he just looks up at the camera and says Even a chef can make mistakes. That tells a lot about his confidence and also sends out a message that its okay to make mistakes. What matters is the willingness to learn and try something new.

He then proceeds to whip up delicacies like chocolate fondant a lava cake and chocolate delice a chocolate cake with a praline base. Blanc later goes to meet his protégé William Curley,who has won the Best British chocolatier award for three consecutive years. Their conversations are very casual,not rehearsed and lend a natural feel to the show. A constant refrain on Raymond Blancs Kitchen Secrets is the master chef using voila at the end of every step. But rather than grating on your nerves,it just brings a smile to your face.

Verdict:

Watch it to learn some delicious recipes.