“YouTube Trending: Buzz Feed Video and Tasty’s donut adventure”
Written by Giavanna Foster
On March 12, BuzzFeedVideo launched the first episode of its second season. In the first episode, Adam treks with Andrew and Steven on a culinary donut adventure. On March 14, it landed the #2 position on YouTube’s trending list. It now has over 7.5 million views. Here’s the scoop:
Throughout the video, Andrew and Steven mentioned educational donut facts. First, many believe the Dutch brought donuts to Manhattan back when it was still called New Amsterdam. At the time, the pastries were called olykoeks (“oily cakes”). Second, the world record for the most jam donuts consumed in one minute is three. Confidently, Andrew said that he could beat this record.
Blinkie’s Donut Emporium
4884 Topanga Canyon Blvd
Woodland Hills, CA 91364
(818) 884-4456
http://www.blinkiesdonuts.com/
First, the group drove to Blinkie’s Donut Emporium. Teresa Larsen, the owner, spoke with Andrew and Steven about this family business. Larsen has worked here since 2002, and the family demonstrates teamwork with their success and cooperation. Teresa’s uncle cooks, while her mom works at the cash register. The donuts at Blinkie’s are shaped from yeast donut gel. The donuts are proofed twice and fried with the glaze icing. This helps create their refined signature flavor.
Andrew asked, “How do your donuts differ from the mass-produced donuts in terms of flavor?”
Teresa responded, “We just try to find the best ingredients we can that’s available on the market. We also make it budget-friendly, so everybody can come in and afford a donut at our place.”
Andrew and Steven agreed that the inside of the donut was fluffy, like a croissant. They both enjoyed eating the donuts. After leaving Blinkie’s, Steven said that the restaurant’s donuts displayed the top qualities: value, experience, and quality. Andrew and Steven agreed that the uncle was a donut wizard. After Andrew and Steven said several nickname ideas, Andrew came up with “Dumbledonut”.
The Church Key
8730 W Sunset Blvd
West Hollywood, CA 90069
(424) 249-3700
http://www.thechurchkeyla.com/
As Steven drove to The Church Key, he asked Adam and Andrew if fancier means better. He called his group the “fancy boys” before arriving at the second donut restaurant. Then Steven and Andrew talked with executive chef Ryan Ososky. The executive chef talked about his signature brown butter glazed brioche donut.
Steven asked, “And how did you come up with the idea to have the donut on the menu?”
Ryan responded, “I knew I wanted a brown butter glaze. […] Our pastry chef just said I’m going to take what chef wants, the brown butter glaze, and I’m going to put it on the donut. We never looked back.”
The donuts are fried at 325 degrees for five minutes. The signature brown butter glaze’s ingredients are brown butter, powdered sugar, salt, and vanilla. It has a refined salty, sweet, and nutty flavor. Serving the donuts warm also helps bring out the signature flavor. Andrew added that the salt hit from the bitter brown butter glaze helped make each bite satisfying. Andrew and Steven agreed that the donuts are delicious and weighed more than the last donut they tasted.
Birdies
314 W Olympic Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90015
(213) 536-5720
http://birdiesla.com/
Birdies is the last restaurant that the group drove to. Birdies serves donuts as well as fried chicken, sandwiches, and coffee. Joanna Park is Birdies’ assistant general manager. Katie Villanueva is Birdies’ manager and sous chef. They spoke with Andrew and Steven about their co-owned business.
Steven asked, “How does it feel for you, as a chef, laying gold on a donut?”
Katie answered, “I think the first time I saw it I was like ‘Really? Like we’re going to do this? Really?’ But I guess now that I do it so often, it’s normal.”
Steven commented that gold donuts are not a normal sight. To add, Birdies’ unique gold leaf donut showcases their inventive technique and refinery. Andrew and Steven commented on the explosive fusion of champagne, jam, and nutella flavors. They agreed that eating the gold donut was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
All restaurants showcased their refinery and signature styles. Each dish displayed high quality and inventive technique. Adam, Andrew, and Steven commented that each restaurant served excellent desserts. They also agreed that tasting each donut was an enjoyable experience. The group picked one winner: Blinkie’s Donut Emporium.
Do you think Andrew can beat the world record for eating jam donuts? Have you eaten at any of the restaurants we mentioned? Tell us by commenting below.
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