It is a world where cream puffs, macaroons and six-foot sugar sculptures can make or break a pastry chef. Experts in the field come from far and wide to compete for the illustrious title of best pastry chef in France

This gruelling competition comes once every four years where one wrong move could cause one's hopes and dreams to fly right out the window. It is called Meilleurs Ouvriers de France, or MOF. The term translates roughly to 'best craftsman of France'. The competition takes place every four years in Lyon.

'Kings of Pastry' follows Jacquy Pfeiffer, co-founder of Chicago's French Pastry School, as he journeys back to his childhood home of Alsace to practise for the contest. He is coached by co-owner and MOF Sebastien Canonne.

Viewers are taken in by the world of pastry which many just look at as something to devour.

But for Pfeiffer, mixing, piping and sculpting isn't for fun, it's a way of life.

And a way to prove that he is the best.

The documentary shows Pfeiffer along with Canonne as he turns sugar into ribbon, sculptures and flowers. One wrong move sees sculpture after sculpture shatter into thousands of pieces.

In one scene, he makes an elaborate five- or six-filling wedding cake only to be told it's too sweet. When he finally arrives in Lyon, he spends the next few weeks in a basement of a bakery practising over and over for the three-day competition. The documentary also profiles two other finalists — chef Regis Lazard, who was competing for the second time and chef Philippe Rigollot. The first day sees 16 competitors, all of whom were narrowed down from 70 finalists. They are all there to compete for the famous red, white and blue collar which represents the MOF.

Day One sees the competitors create all the items to make up their buffet including brioche, lollipops, a plated dessert and many other delectable delights. They are racing against the clock and need to finish everything in order to be eligible.

By the third day, everyone is tired but still needs to complete the work. Pfeiffer starts his sugar sculpture which was supposed to be started on the first day. He runs out of time and isn't able to create what he had planned.

But that doesn't come close to the agony chef Rigollot faces when his sugar sculpture comes crashing down. He eventually pulls himself together and makes a new one.

Without giving the end away, there are many tears from competitors and the judges alike as some are given the title while the majority are not.

So the question becomes, should they put in another four years to compete again or give up and realise their dream might be out of reach?

'Kings of Pastry' screens at 6.30 p.m today at the Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute.