4 Levels of Hot Chocolate: Amateur to Food Scientist | Epicurious

We challenged chefs of three different skill levels - amateur Stephen, home cook Daniel, and professional chef Saul Montiel from Cantina Rooftop - to make a rich cup of hot chocolate. Once each level of chef had presented their magnificent mugs, we asked expert food scientist Rose to explain the choices each cocoa-maker made along the way - both good and bad. Which cup of hot chocolate are you dipping a sugar cookie into?

Chef Saul is on Instagram at @chefsaulmontiel
Find Daniel at @iamdanielvictor
Follow Stephen on social at @typethisexactly
Looking for Rose? Head to @rosemarytrout_foodscience


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[ashleighzoda]

I love how Stephen is worried about Daniel showing him up with the homemade whipped cream when Saúl straight up made churros to top his hot chocolate with!

[Man-lwik]

“Daniel is always trying to show me up”

Meanwhile Saul is on another plane of culinarily existence

[cleopatraonlyfans]

The way the three of them snuck little snacks had me wondering if they’re at least being fed while they’re chained up in the epicurious basement

[eunicesena]

How could you not love Stephen. I don't know what it adds but you can tell when it's gone, it's like a best friend 🤣🤣

[RidaB]

"And a traditional Mexican"
Saul is an international treasure and must be protected for all of eternity.

[ThePandaWarrior]

This episode definitely needed Chef Saul and he is an absolute delight, just like his hot chocolate

[Blue_]

Three levels
Stephen: ofc I would have that, that guy's genuinely trying
Daniel: that one overachieving cousin
Saul: just wholesome

[pranjallpahuja]

is no one going to talk about how daniel added ice to his "hot" chocolate... lmaoo why is that so expected from him.

[AmberAHue]

I always want to eat Saul's food. Sometimes the Level 3 chefs are too over the top to make it fancy instead of tasty. His hot chocolate and churro look amazing!

[trevorpacelli]

Saul: "We are going to make our own almond milk!"
Frank: "Wait... that's my job."

[AmeerHamza-wvks]

"I don't whip my own whip cream because it gives me muscle spasms"

I think the whole generation can relate their own version of this.

[alecrechtiene]

Saul has the best charisma! He is the kind of guy you could talk about the same subject for hours and it would never get boring.

[davidhalldurham]

Saul is not only very knowledgeable but also very funny and charming. He's welcome at our house for Christmas.

[roquendroll]

Saul: "I'm gonna use hot water not boiling water... Hot like this"

Water: *Instantly Evaporates*

[orangeleprachaun]

Daniel made a chocolate cocktail, but it was cold, that's disqualifying it from being hot chocolate, Sauls one looked wonderful though, although I did miss the chilli in it

[settheworldonfire]

My family usually uses Abuelita instead of Ibarra, and I’ve never used almond milk before. I’ll definitely give that a try, especially since I recently learned that Abuelita is made by Nestle.

[MrToadTheGamer]

Daniel: "It's got some booze in it."

Penny: *sweats*

[whistlingglasses]

"I don't know what it adds, but you'll know when it's gone... it's like a best friend." 💛

[nunya]

Saul’s personality came out more & I LOVE IT!!! We need him more!!!

[EricSanDiego]

Daniel knows he's surrounded by the Epicurious sass of Lorenzo, Frank, and Saul so he sent off the phrase "bouquet in your nosehairs" as a first salvo. Gotta admit, it's a good one.