Sweet Genius (2011)

In the first test of genius, the chefs are inspired by some canine cuteness for their breakfast food and bland bread chocolate desserts. In the second test, the chefs get an entertaining inspiration, peanuts and a sweet drink. With two chefs left competing for the title of Sweet Genius, a charming, chiming object gets the chefs' imaginations ticking.

It is Halloween time, time for everyone's favorite Sweet Genius to stir up some devilish trouble in his World of Desserts. Chef Ron's first Halloween inspiration is bound to get the chefs' blood racing, as they race to put together chocolate desserts from an Asian drink and dried fungi. In the second test, a haunting apparition inspires the chefs to use onions and a strongly flavored novelty candy to impress Chef Ron.

The heat is on with an erupting volcano as the inspiration for the first test. Will the chefs' chocolate desserts made from pink beans and an exotic fruit explode with flavor? In the second test, as if combining an oversized treat with a green mash were not a tough enough challenge, the chefs must also keep in mind Chef Ron's wild inspiration. An enchanting figure inspires the chefs in the final test, but the real magic will be making a berry drink and matzoh into genius cakes.

Chef Ron's surprisingly conceptual first inspiration sends our master pastry chefs down a dark path: Will they see the light and figure out how to effectively utilize sweet fruit filling and chorizo in their chocolate desserts? In the candy test, a marionette inspires the chefs to display their masterful techniques with pizza dough and chicory coffee. And a symbol of peace and hope appears overhead for the final test, but it does little to ease anxiety, as the finalists rush to make incredible cakes from a sticky spread and a colorful veggie.

The inspiration for the first test comes straight from the Thanksgiving banquet, as does one of the mandatory ingredients. In the candy test, the chefs put on their game faces to tackle the next challenge using barbecue sauce and snack mix as mandatory ingredients. And with $10,000 and the title of Sweet Genius on the line, the two remaining chefs confront a fear-inducing inspiration and two unusual cake ingredients.

The chefs are startled by a jaw-dropping stuntman, the inspiration for their first test: But can the chefs make show-stopping chocolate dishes with an unusual squash and an old-fashioned candy? In the second test, some squeaky birds get the chefs thinking up festive candy creations made from a curdled dairy product and a versatile veggie.

In the mood for mistletoe and merriment, Chef Ron has a host of holiday surprises for the competitors! In the first test: A little ambassador from the North Pole, a fabled pudding and a classic yuletide candy. The chefs get an icy inspiration for the second test, along with a starchy packaged food and a colorful refreshment. When the last two chefs compete in the final holiday hoorah, the cakes test, they must find a way to make chocolate treats work with beets and a magical inspiration.

Will the competitors truly embrace the power of their Parisian inspiration as they make chocolate desserts from chicken stock and a Southern candy treat? The three remaining chefs endeavor to make candy creations from fennel and a juicy fruit, as they keep a meddling deity in mind. In the final cakes test, a heavenly, twinkling inspiration and two assertive ingredients make for an intriguing final match-up.

Where there's smoke, there's inspiration! The chefs must find a way to make a chewy fruit and meaty hors d'oeuvres work in their chocolate desserts. In the candy test, as they seek to combine a Middle Eastern dip with a desert delight, the chefs must be inspired by a Native American talisman. The final two chefs get biblical and try to stay afloat by making the best cake pairing their two mandatory ingredients.

Chef Ron introduces the chefs to his rockin' first inspiration, and it's crunch time when the chefs get a fruity cereal as a mandatory ingredient. In the second test, the chefs learn that there is no place like Chef Ron's world of desserts while making candy confections made with a strawberry drink and a yellow pepper.

The chefs rocket into the competition, creating space-themed chocolate desserts from Italian olives and a retro candy. The three competitors who move on must get amped up over amphibians in the second test and figure out how to make genius candy with a green super food and an orange delicacy. In the final test, the chefs ponder the meaning of a leaning tower and how to effectively use two savory ingredients in their cakes.

With a bright light inspiration, the chefs attempt to make excellent chocolate desserts that include one blue mandatory ingredient and one yellow one. Then in the candy test, Chef Ron has another entertaining, inspiring surprise for the competitors as they concoct ways to incorporate a shockingly colorful tuber. Get ready for a trip back in time, as our final two chefs receive a spicy snack as a mandatory ingredient.

The chefs can't believe their first inspiration flying through the air, as they set out to make chocolate desserts that include ketchup. In the candy test, the chefs are spun in a new direction with a childhood inspiration and instant noodles and mild fruit as mandatory ingredients. A matrimonial-themed test has the chefs wondering what to do with two white mandatory ingredients.