An Alberta chocolatier named Priya Winsor showcased a distinctly Canadian flavor as a finalist on the baking competition show “Harry Potter: Wizards of Baking.” Originating from St. Albert, Alberta, Winsor is the owner of Compass Chocolates and described her experience on the show as surreal and transformative, encouraging her to push beyond her creative boundaries.
The Newfoundland-born chocolate maker, who grew up immersed in the magical world of Harry Potter through the books and films, found filming on the original movie sets in the U.K. to be a unique experience. The Food Network show features contestants from across the globe, including pastry chefs, chocolatiers, and cake artists, who compete to create hyper-realistic, edible showpieces inspired by characters, artifacts, and magical creatures from the beloved Harry Potter universe.
Throughout the competition, Winsor integrated elements of Canadian culture into her creations, reflecting her personal experiences. In one challenge titled “The Edible Artifacts,” she incorporated Newfoundland sea salt into a salted caramel paired with masala chai ganache to create Bellatrix’s Dagger. This blending of flavors was particularly meaningful to her as it represented a fusion of her Canadian roots with influences from around the world.
During the semifinals, Winsor and her partner were tasked with crafting Cornish pixies, the mischievous blue magical creatures from the Harry Potter series. Winsor, who has a passion for folklore, found that the chaotic nature of the pixies reminded her of her own children. To evoke flavors tied to childhood memories, she utilized toasted vanilla bean marshmallow, honey graham tart shell, and smoked dark chocolate ganache, with added spices such as chili chocolate, cayenne pepper, and chipotle to create depth in flavor.
The pixies themselves were meticulously crafted from fondant and modeling chocolate, suspended “in the air” from a mobile candelabra. One of the striking features of the display included a s’more inspired by a Cornish pasty, highlighting Winsor’s creativity and attention to detail. She cited the inspiration for the smoked marshmallow and graham cracker flavors as rooted in her nostalgia for bonfires on Newfoundland’s rugged coastlines.
Winsor attributes her passion for cooking and baking to her upbringing in Newfoundland, where she was surrounded by a culture rich in hospitality and food-sharing. This background played a significant role in nurturing her culinary interests and ambitions.
“Harry Potter: Wizards of Baking Chapter Two” is currently available for streaming on Crave, revealing Winsor's extraordinary journey and remarkable creations to audiences eager to see the merging of magic and culinary artistry.
This captivating narrative of Priya Winsor not only highlights her achievements on a prestigious platform but also underscores her dedication to blending Canadian flavors with the enchanted world of Harry Potter, making her a prominent figure in the realm of confectionery arts.
