The concept of the show is right out of professional wrestling, but there it is in living color every week on 'The Food Network'. Prominent chefs from all over the world go 'mano a mano' in judged cooking competitions. That's the premise of 'Iron Chef' which is easily the most entertaining cooking show in television history. Even non-foodies will enjoy the competition and the nearly inscrutable strangeness of the show.
The story behind the show goes something like this"theres this rich dude, MC Kaga who summons the finest chefs in Japan to do battle in his kitchen stadium. Needless to say, a TV studio wouldnt suffice for such a production: the kitchen stadium is in Kagas castle. Also in residence are three Iron Chefs, each representing a different type of cuisine (Chinese, French and Japanese). The summoned culinary challenger picks which Iron Chef he wants to take a crack at and the contest begins. The show was originally created by the Fuji TV network in the Japan, and the original Japanese title translates literally to The Iron Men of Cooking.
Adding even more 'spice' to the show--each dish must include the 'theme ingredient' which is kept a mystery until immediately before the competition begins. With great pomp and amid smoke and pyrotechnics, Kaga reveals the 'mystery ingredient'. Sometimes it'll be something basic like apples or tofu, other times it's more obscure like ox tail or some otherworldly shellfish.
The chefs then have an hour to prepare a seven-course meal to be served to a panel of what I presume to be mid-level Japanese celebrities. They rate and discuss each participants offering and pick a winner. At the end of the show with much fan fare Kaga reveals the winner. Its a great honor to beat one of the Iron Chefs, though its no easy feat.
What really brings the show together is the announcing"though Im sure it loses something having been dubbed from Japanese. Theres a hysterical play by play announcer, an excitable color commentator, and an even more hyperactive sideline correspondent who will break in the commentary frequently with revelations such as observing that a chef is using fresh ginger in a dish or some similar piece of trivia. Apparently one of the announcers is a legit sumo wrestling announcer in Japan, making the strange juxtaposition between cooking shows and wrestling even more complete.
The dishes that the chefs come up with are always pretty amazing, creative and complex"if not always appetizing. Some of their creations look yummy, but a dessert with a compulsory use of carp isnt exactly mouth watering for American palates. Nonetheless, the creative process and intensity of the competitors is amazing. Even as challenging as this is, the requirement that a theme ingredient be used in every component of the meal really ups the ante.
The Food Network now produces an American-ized version of the show entitled Iron Chef America. Despite the similar format, it pales in comparison to the original Fuji TV production. - 29967
The story behind the show goes something like this"theres this rich dude, MC Kaga who summons the finest chefs in Japan to do battle in his kitchen stadium. Needless to say, a TV studio wouldnt suffice for such a production: the kitchen stadium is in Kagas castle. Also in residence are three Iron Chefs, each representing a different type of cuisine (Chinese, French and Japanese). The summoned culinary challenger picks which Iron Chef he wants to take a crack at and the contest begins. The show was originally created by the Fuji TV network in the Japan, and the original Japanese title translates literally to The Iron Men of Cooking.
Adding even more 'spice' to the show--each dish must include the 'theme ingredient' which is kept a mystery until immediately before the competition begins. With great pomp and amid smoke and pyrotechnics, Kaga reveals the 'mystery ingredient'. Sometimes it'll be something basic like apples or tofu, other times it's more obscure like ox tail or some otherworldly shellfish.
The chefs then have an hour to prepare a seven-course meal to be served to a panel of what I presume to be mid-level Japanese celebrities. They rate and discuss each participants offering and pick a winner. At the end of the show with much fan fare Kaga reveals the winner. Its a great honor to beat one of the Iron Chefs, though its no easy feat.
What really brings the show together is the announcing"though Im sure it loses something having been dubbed from Japanese. Theres a hysterical play by play announcer, an excitable color commentator, and an even more hyperactive sideline correspondent who will break in the commentary frequently with revelations such as observing that a chef is using fresh ginger in a dish or some similar piece of trivia. Apparently one of the announcers is a legit sumo wrestling announcer in Japan, making the strange juxtaposition between cooking shows and wrestling even more complete.
The dishes that the chefs come up with are always pretty amazing, creative and complex"if not always appetizing. Some of their creations look yummy, but a dessert with a compulsory use of carp isnt exactly mouth watering for American palates. Nonetheless, the creative process and intensity of the competitors is amazing. Even as challenging as this is, the requirement that a theme ingredient be used in every component of the meal really ups the ante.
The Food Network now produces an American-ized version of the show entitled Iron Chef America. Despite the similar format, it pales in comparison to the original Fuji TV production. - 29967
About the Author:
Ross Everett is a sales and marketing consultant to the restaurant, casino and internet sports betting industries. He is has written extensively on fine dining, travel and how to successfully bet on NFL football games . He is currently a staff marketing and hospitality director for Sports-1 sportsbook.
