Updates on local TV stars: Chef Yohann and ‘Backstreet’

Chef Yohann at work during the “Summer Baking Championship.” [Photo courtesy of the Food Network.]

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Posted June 14, 2023 | By Julie Garisto, julie@magnoliamediaco.com

Ocala’s “Summer Baking Championship” competitor is on a winning streak, and the locally shot series “Backstreet” is now available on multiple streaming platforms.

Spoiler alert: Two weeks ago, we talked about Chef Yohann Le Bescond, executive pastry chef at the World Equestrian Center, narrowly escaping elimination. We are happy to report that the Frenchman made a fabulous comeback with a lemon-meringue-ball-topped creme pie, which dazzled the judges with both its presentation and flavor sensation. With that sunny creation, Le Bescond won the second round of episode 5.

For episode 6’s Father’s Day-themed competition, Le Bescond wasn’t too thrilled with the challenge of creating a dessert with grill marks, but he muscled through and crafted a vanilla praline mille-feuille with his biker dad in mind.

“He always wanted me to make something from the heart,” Le Bescond shared.

Unfortunately, the grilled top had some problems, and he didn’t win that round, but his creamy layers received raves. The judges recommended that Le Bescond work on the challenges outside his comfort zone to be “amazing” and win the competition.

When the Pride Month-themed second round was announced, our French chef thanked God for making it that episode since Pride is personal to him as an openly gay man in a long-term relationship with Jeremy Le Blanc.

For his second dessert, Le Bescond made a Miami Beach-inspired cheesecake with rainbow colors along with a Twix-based streusel (in response to the cereal bonus challenge).

He handily won the second competition because of his stunning mirror glaze and cereal streusel.

Tune in to the Food Network next Monday to see if Chef Yohann’s streak continues.

Back in March, we reported on “Backstreet,” a locally shot TV series that premiered at the Marion Theatre. Since then, “Backstreet” has received distribution across five networks and is now available to watch on Amazon Prime Video, TubiTv (a free streaming service), Free Movies+ and Seven Clubs TV via Roku.

Additionally, HeroGoTV, and WATCHVIM have all selected the series and will be streaming it live later this year.

The series is gritty and raw, filmed with some stylized flashbacks, drone shots and tracking shots.

The plot centers on protagonist Quentin Jacobs, aka “Q” (Tekulve Jackson), who’s trying to heal and make a life for himself amid the aftermath of a shooting that took the life of his mother.

Quentin and his crew are determined to uncover the motives of Kane (Horace Tidwell) and to solve the murder of Q’s mother. But they soon find themselves in trouble with the police, as Detectives Bishop (Clyde Garrison), Gunner (Jacob Richardson), Johnson (Rhonda Lane), and Gomez (Stacie Smith) are on their case.

Jackson, the creator, producer and director of the series, has put out a call for locals to audition for their upcoming seasons.

Anyone interested, regardless of experience, should email info@backstreet.live for more information about how to become a part of the cast.

The local series is also looking for filming locations. The idea, he said, is to find establishments that can be featured in the series, while also giving these businesses an opportunity to market their brand.

“We want to make sure that the series captures the local flavor of the area, while also offering a platform for local businesses to get their name out there,” Jackson said.