The Bay Area's famous Psycho Donuts manager (Dr. of Donut Derangement), Ron Levi, will be competing with 41 other competitive donut pros in season one of Food Network Canada’s brand new original series, "Donut Showdown" hosted by Danny Boome (The Chew, Recipe Rehab) to air weekly beginning Tuesday April 2, 2013, at 10 p.m. Levi is the store manager of the Campbell and San Jose Psycho Donut stores, who will appear in episode six of the series, along with his friend and assistant, Joe Clouteir, who were chosen after submitting a tape showing their mad donut making skills filmed in the kitchen of Psycho Donuts.
Levi said although he is representing Psycho Donuts, he used his own recipe, along with the three secret ingredients chosen by the show; and although he is sworn to secrecy he can’t reveal much of the details or who won, but.did say it was an exciting adventure. Levi said he chose Cloutier not only because he was a good friend but because he knew he could teach him enough about donuts and where Clouteir could react off his thoughts and know what he was thinking; a good match for the show. According to Levi, it turned out to be quite an adventure, one he said he'd gladly do again.
The show flew them both off to Toronto where they participated in jam-packed schedule of travel and filming of this new series, “Donut Showdown” with host Boome. Levi said he and Clouteir had to compete with others, and although challenging and exciting, all had the same goal in mind – to win. He said it was nice to meet others from around the globe, but being sworn to secrecy he can't say much. In fact, not even a word to his fiancé or kids. Levi said he’s catching all sorts of flack from his family. “My kids are needling me on a daily basis,” said Levi. “They keep telling me I've won and just won’t confess to the win.” But Levi said he’s sticking to his guns and making everyone wait until the episode airs on April 16.
The idea of “Donut Showdown” is to glaze over the eyes of the judges beginning with head judge: David Rocco (David Rocco’s Amalfi Getaway) followed by two other esteemed judges culinary expert Maggie McKeown (Recipe to Riches) and restaurateur Zane Caplansky (Caplansky’s Delicatessen); judging 42 fiercely competitive donut pros from around the world and across North America with 12 from across Canada.
The battle begins with three colorful competitors tasked with a batch of donuts using three bizarre and unusual secret ingredients. The judges will get a taste of each offering critiquing each donut on taste, presentation and creativity. The competitor with the weakest donut will be sent home, and the remaining two must go head-to-head in a final battle to make a large batch of donuts based on a theme by the judges. At the end of each episode just one competitor will taste victory, leaving with a sweet 10k prize.
In fact, Levi said one of his other donut recipes, the Malted Waffle Bacon Donut, was chosen as one of the donuts to not only be in the Food Network Canada’s Donut Showdown recipe book, but his recipe was also one of the few chosen to be highlighted on their website. More details about the recipe book can be found on the Food Network website with details to follow at local Psycho Donuts shop (and who knows, maybe a taste test of Levi’s recipe in the coming months).
As for further details, we all have to wait for the show to air. And when I asked what he’d do with the money, his hesitation was short, but very sweet. Levi said if he does win, his plans are simple: They hope to replenish the wedding funds that were depleted when they found out his fiancé, Monical Nuckols, had been diagnosed with breast cancer. Fortunately, she beat the cancer and is doing well today. Thus, the icing on this man’s cake would be a simple one now that they are together as a family: To pay off those bills from the treatment, replenish their wedding fund and give his fiancé the wedding she deserves as her family is in Kentucky.
Additional information:
Food Network Canada's new original series, “Donut Showdown” with host Danny Boome and 42 contestants from around the world along with head judge David Rocco (David Rocco’s Amalfi Getaway) followed by two other esteemed judges culinary expert Maggie McKeown (Recipe to Riches) and restaurateur Zane Caplansky (Caplansky’s Delicatessen).
The original series airs every Tuesday beginning Tuesday, April 2 through May 14, 2013, with a winner from each segment taking home a grand prize of $10,000; each contestant will have three bizarre and unusual ingredients in which they must prepare and glaze over the eyes of the judges. Judges will be judging the donuts based on taste, presentation and creativity.
Psycho Donuts’ Ron Levi and his assistant Joe Cloutier appear in Episode 6: “Fire & Ice” airing Tuesday, April 16, at 10:30 p.m. ET/PT, along with contestants on this episode include: Kristen Boates of John & Sons Oyster House (Toronto, Ontario) with assistant: Sheryl Yu, kitchen supervisor at John & Sons Oyster House; Ron Levi of Psycho Donuts (Campbell, California) with assistant: Joe Cloutier, Ron’s friend; and Maria Moore Riggs of Revolution Doughnuts (Decatur, Georgia) with assistant: Erin Engstrom, Marie’s colleague. Word on the Psycho beat and network street is that the show will air in the states; stay tuned for additional details.
Food Network Canada “Donuts Showdown” Recipe Book: Visit website for additional information and release info; and stay tuned to the Psycho Donuts blog for updates and detailed information on Ron Levi’s “Malted Waffle Bacon Donut” recipe as well as when the Food Network Canada Recipe book will be available.
Psycho Donuts has two locations: San Jose and Campbell; visit their website for hours and address.
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