Eclipse Chocolate founder and chocolatier Will Gustwiller won a special “Guy’s Chocolate Games” episode of Guy’s Grocery Games that aired on Food Network last Sunday.
The owner of the San Diego chocolate shop and bistro filmed the episode in Santa Rosa in November 2016.
In addition to Gustwiller, contestants included personal chef Steven Oliver of San Diego, corporate chef Lindsay Ontko and Ricardo Trillos of Cao Chocolates in Miami. Judges included Iron Chef judge and cookbook author Domenica Catelli, television personality and San Diego Magazine food critic Troy Johnson and pastry chef and Food Network Star finalist Damiano Carrara.
During the episode, contestants used chocolate to create sweet and savory dishes. Challenges included making lunch using key ingredients of German chocolate cake: dark chocolate, coconut, pecans and maraschino cherries. Gustwiller answered with a cacao glazed pork tenderloin served alongside Chinese long beans with coconut and pecans.
Gustwiller walked away with $16,000 in prize money.
“I want to be America’s first solar-powered, lunar themed chocolate company,” quipped Gustwiller during the episode, as he may decide to put the earnings toward a solar panel for Eclipse Chocolate.
Fans can attend a special Guy’s Grocery Games dinner and viewing party at Eclipse Chocolate on Saturday at 5 p.m. or 8 p.m. This evening is priced at $40 per person and will feature multiple courses, each a recreation of Gustwiller’s recent television appearance.
