An Alberta chocolatier, Priya Winsor from St. Albert, stepped into the magical world of baking on the show “Harry Potter: Wizards of Baking,” where she embraced challenges that pushed her beyond her comfort zone. Winsor, the owner of Compass Chocolates, expressed how the experience allowed her to explore new horizons and expand her creativity.
Being a fan of the “Harry Potter” series since her childhood in Newfoundland, Winsor found it surreal to film the show on the original movie sets in the U.K. Hosted by James and Oliver Phelps, who portrayed the Weasley twins, the show featured talented pastry chefs, chocolatiers, and cake artists competing to create hyper-realistic edible showpieces inspired by the magical world of “Harry Potter.”
Throughout the competition, Winsor drew inspiration from her Canadian roots, infusing her creations with personal experiences and flavors that resonated with her. For instance, in the Edible Artifacts challenge, she combined Newfoundland sea salt with a blend of masala chai ganache for Bellatrix’s dagger, symbolizing a fusion of diverse cultural flavors that held personal significance to her.
Emphasizing her love for Canada as a “magical place” with a rich tapestry of flavors, Winsor integrated elements from her homeland and various global cuisines into her creations for the show. In a nod to her folklore fascination and connection to her children, she imbued her Cornish pixies showpiece with flavors reminiscent of childhood nostalgia, using ingredients like toasted vanilla bean marshmallow and smoked dark chocolate ganache.
Crafting the mischievous pixies from fondant and modeling chocolate, Winsor suspended them from a mobile candelabra, showcasing her inventive and whimsical approach to the challenge. The flavors she incorporated, such as chili chocolate and chipotle, were a tribute to her memories of bonfires on Newfoundland’s rugged coast, reflecting her deep-rooted culinary influences from her upbringing.
Winsor credited her upbringing in Newfoundland, where hospitality and food-sharing are integral parts of the culture, for instilling in her a passion for cooking and baking. For those interested in witnessing her magical creations unfold, “Harry Potter: Wizards of Baking Chapter Two” can be streamed on Crave.