Chicago French Pastry School Founder in "Kings of Pastry" Doc

There's no doubt that pastry making is high art, and we're not talking about the cry-baby world of Top Chef: Just Desserts. This is the Meilleurs Ouvriers de France, where the country's top pastry chefs compete for the title of Best Craftsman.

A new documentary, opening this Friday at the Gene Siskel Film Center follows Chicago French Pastry School founder Jacquy Pfeiffer during the three-day competition and the weeks leading up to it when he traveled back to his hometown in Alsace, France to gear up for the grueling tourney.

Filmmakers D.A. Pennebaker and Chris Hegedus captured all the excitement and were given full access to film the event, something that has never been done before. The film is getting rave reviews, even prompting the critic from the Herald Scotland to say, "Forget Masterchef. This is the culinary Hurt Locker.” See for yourself.

KINGS OF PASTRY Theatrical Trailer from Pennebaker Hegedus Films on Vimeo.

Kings of Pastry [Official Website]

Jacquy Pfeiffer [Photo: Kings of Pastry]