Plot Synopsis

Hosted by Sunny Anderson, each one-hour episode of CHOCOLATE MELTDOWN: HERSHEY'S AFTER DARK features three pastry chefs locked inside Hersheypark afte-hours, as they solve clues and brave the amusement-park rides to use Hershey's sweets for their creations before the night is over. Working with the help of just an assistant within Hershey's largest candy store, Chocolate World, the competitors race against the clock as judges Ralph Attanasia and Maneet Chauhan keep a watchful eye to determine who was the most successful at molding chocolate and spinning sugar into works of art. The winner of each episode earns a year's supply of Hershey's candy, a Hersheypark vacation, and a cash prize.

In the series opener, the competitors prove themselves with inspired takes on a Creepy Crawly Carnival. After running through the park on a chilly and rainy night, the pastry artists take a spin on one of the park's most dizzying rides. Back in Chocolate World, a self-taught and gravity-defying cake artist quickly runs into problems, forcing them to adjust the design on the fly. Meanwhile, a sugar artist almost loses a battle against a 33-pound slab of dark chocolate, and a sculpting enthusiast uses enough Hershey's candy to empty the whole store. Other episodes include the pastry chefs using Reese's Pieces and Almond Joy candies to create a Scary Sci-Fi chocolate showpiece. And the competitors have their work cut out for them as they create Frightful Forest-themed chocolate displays incorporating Twizzlers Twists and York Peppermint Patties.
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On Monday, October 18, 2021 at 10pm ET/PT, Food Network premiered "Frightful Forest," the season finale of CHOCOLATE MELTDOWN: HERSHEY'S AFTER DARK. Three pastry chefs battle it out overnight in Hersheypark's Chocolate World to create showstopping, forest-themed chocolate creations. After riding the park's tallest roller coasters, a world-renowned Danish chocolatier has a major chocolate setback, and a Colombian cake and sugar artist deals with the consequences of working with fragile Jolly Rancher isomalt. Meanwhile, a young mom with an eye for character design struggles to bring her frightful forest to life with realistic chocolate tree sculpting. Host Sunny Anderson reveals a curve ball in the candy store, forcing the artists to run back into the park to solve another Candy Clue in the middle of the night! The chefs face another frightful park attraction to earn their second Hershey candy, which inspires a creative treat. When time runs out, the three chefs face judges Ralph Attanasia and Maneet Chauhan, who critique their overall theme, chocolate work and candy manipulation. Only one will last through the night, face their frights and win the $10,000 and dream vacation in Hershey, Pennsylvania.