Sugar Rush is a very popular TV show on Netflix which first debuted in the year 2018. In Season One, Episode One of Sugar Rush, pastry chef Vivian Hsu not only appeared on the show, but was the winner of the competition, along with her baking partner Samantha Schramm.
The premise of the show is to select the best team of two out of four teams of distinguished bakers from across the country. These contestants represent some of the most talented bakers/pastry chefs in the nation. The 4 teams compete against each other in fierce competition for $10,000 in a series of 3 intense rounds. The 3 rounds are composed of a cupcake round, a confection round, and then a cake round. Teams are allotted three hours for the first two rounds, however, if they finish under time, then that time is added to the cake round. The judges on the show are professional chefs Candace Nelson and Adriano Zumbo with a guest judge each episode. The episode that Vivian Hsu appeared in is called “Surprise!”
I am fortunate to have been able to interview Vivian Hsu and ask her questions about her unique background and experience on the show. Since being on Sugar Rush, Hsu has moved from California and now resides in Westport, Connecticut with her family.
How did you develop your interest as a pastry chef?
I wouldn’t say it was developed so much as it just occurred to me that this was the career I wanted. When I realized I could go to culinary school to become a pastry chef, it all clicked and made sense.
Where did you complete your education as a pastry chef?
I attended the French Culinary Institute in 2004.
Could you tell me about your work experience leading up to Sugar Rush?
After graduating from the French Culinary Institute, I went on to work in hotel pastry shops for the next 5 years. I’ve worked at the Peninsula Beverly Hills, the Sofitel Beverly Hills, and the Island Hotel Newport Beach. After that, I worked for a SusieCakes as head baker/culinary manager for their Newport Beach location.
What was the process for getting selected to be on Sugar Rush?
The producers approached my partner on the show and asked us to interview. We had a couple of zoom interviews, and we were selected for the show.
How did you prepare for the show?
My partner Sam and I lived on opposite ends of California. I was in Southern California, and she was in Northern California. We couldn’t practice or train together. We just decided on the basic recipes we would use and made adjustments on the fly.
What was your experience like on the show?
It was exhilarating, but a very long shooting day. The 3 hours of actual bake time was real. However, there were lots of long breaks in between for the crew to set up, reset, etc. I think the actual shoot day was 14 hours long.
What was the most difficult challenge that you encountered?
Dirty dishes. Washing the equipment we needed to cut into the bake time. That was something we couldn’t foresee. But it was part of the game.
It is well known that the cooking industry is dominated by male chefs. Have you felt discriminated against as a woman?
In the strictest terms set forth by antidiscrimination laws, yes discrimination exists just because it is a majority male-populated environment. But no one intends to discriminate. As a woman in any industry, if you want to survive, you learn how to work with your coworkers, male or female. It also helps to have a thick skin.
Words of wisdom for girls wanting to pursue careers that are male dominated?
Again, don’t go into a job thinking you’re the minority. Have confidence that you’ve been selected for this position because you qualify. Whoever dominates your industry, always remember to do your best work, learn and grow, and be a team player.
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