4 Levels of Tiramisu: Amateur to Food Scientist | Epicurious

We challenged chefs of three different skill levels - amateur Desi, home cook Daniel, and professional chef Jurgen David, director of pastry research and development at the Institute of Culinary Education - to make us their take on a classic tiramisu. Once each level of chef had presented their creations, we asked expert food scientist Rose to explain the choices each made along the way. Which tiramisu will you be your next sweet treat?


00:00 Intro
00:42 Biscuit
02:31 Custard
05:50 Soaking Syrup
08:42 Garnish
10:56 Plating
11:55 Taste Test
13:03 Level 4

Director: Lisa Paradise
Director of Photography: Jeremy Harris
Editor: Manolo Moreno
Director of Culinary Production: Kelly Janke
Producer: Tyre Nobles
Culinary Producer: Mallary Santucci
Culinary Associate Producer: Leslie Raney
Line Producer: Jen McGinity
Associate Producer: Sahara Pagan
Production Manager: Janine Dispensa
Production Coordinator: Elizabeth Hymes
Assistant Camera: Lucas Young
Sound Mixer: Brett van Deusen
Production Assistant: Justine Ramirez
Culinary Assistant: Jami Samuelson-Kopek
Researcher: Vivian Jao
Post Production Supervisor: Andrea Farr
Post Production Coordinator: Scout Alter
Supervising Editor: Eduardo Araujo
Assistant Editor: Justin Symonds



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[GROENAASMusic]

"I'm Desi, I'm a level 1 chef."
"I'm Daniel, I'm a level 2 chef."
"I'm Chef Jürgen, I'm an ultimate super chef with a phd of medical gastronomic cooking engineering chemistry of culinary physics."

[sergeantnuke]

"Everyone else is dipping? Well, that's why I'm a pro" LMAO the quiet way he said it had me rolling. Chef Jurgen is a welcome addition to this series and I wanna see him swap ingredients now.

[blutstwitch]

While all of them look and sound amazing, this is by far one of the best lvl3 performances: no super hyper special ingredients, no "plottwist", nothing extraordinary. Just straight up well done Tiramisu with highly educational tips and well executed techniques. Great episode overall! We will gladly expect Jürgen in future videos for sure!

[meatandcookies]

Chef Jurgen was my chef-instructor at FCI 22 years ago! He’s awesome. So cool to see him here.

[aralynjade]

Level 3 has kids that fight over all the food. That's why he has a scale

[toregenekhatun]

Proud how much Desi has grown as an amateur chef! Everyone did an excellant job!

[ToxicSpork]

"I read the bag, that's how I know they're Italian"
Most level 1 chef line ever

[thatfish]

*furiously writing notes knowing this is my gf’s favorite dessert*

[renata]

Okay, chef Jurgen won me over real quick.

[TheFierywaters]

The new Level 3 Chef is amazing!!! He reminds me of an older version of Chef Bill!!!

[powerofanime]

I think Desi's looks better than Daniel's, but Daniel's will definitely be a much more interesting taste. Jurgen's a pro, there's no way I could add anything to that discussion.

[candyqueenify]

the lvl 3 chef is too cute!!! hes so happy to make this but have fun with it!

[jenny.slice_]

Jürgen’s joy is infectious! I’d love to see him again!

[robertam]

They all look amazing, but I’m Italian and I use my grandmother recipe…there is no custard in tiramisu. Is only eggs, sugar, mascarpone, ladyfingers and espresso+amaretto shot if you like but not mandatory.


You mix two tablespoons of sugar with two egg yolks, you then beat the whites until firm, mix everything together with mascarpone slowly and this is your cream. Then you layer your ladyfingers and dip them in espresso as you go. Top with cocoa.

Again all of the recipes look amazing and I mean no disrespect.

[Lynn]

Wow, Desi making his own custard instead of just buying a tub of cool-whip? Dude's moving up.

I would eat all of these if they were offered to me. Jurgen's ganache reminds me of Ben&Jerry's Topped Tiramisu, which is easily one of my favorite of their flavors.

[cces]

I love chef jurgen's subtle and playful shade hahaha. also mah boi Desi whipping his own cream, I thought he's gonna use a whipped cream spray...

[Leafs.]

I'm so proud of Desi and Daniel. They both did great.
Like, Daniel's Tiramisu was definitely gonna taste ABSOLUTELY interesting, and Desi was just a sensitive, hearty human being full of Love. <3 🖤❤

[annamokrushina]

Chef Jürgen is so sweet and funny🥹 Feature him more!

[anyak]

"I'm going to share my heart with you" Level 3 you are lovely 💜

[himemiya]

Level 0: going to costco and getting their huge tray of tiramisu