Iron Chef America question

[kaytieeldr]

Does anybody watch?

I know that - despite the "secret ingredient" appearing to be a complete surprise - the Chefs are informed in advance of the three possible secret ingredients. I think it's the day before? Don't ask me how I know, Alton Brown may have done an "Inside ICA" show, or I read it someplace (maybe Food Network magazine?). I truly don't remember.

But do the producers also know in advance EXACTLY which Iron Chef is going to be chosen by the challenger? I'm asking because, this past Sunday*, Stephanie March was one of the judges, and it seems like it'd be a conflict of interest if the challenger 'happened' to choose her husband.

Just wondering...


*I was 'watching' the SuperBowl scores online, along with a list of the plays - it's not like I completely ignored the game

 

[mrsv98]

The Chicago Trib magazine did a big spread when Graham Bowles was on. I remember he said they were given three possibilities a few weeks before and he and his crew worked up probable recipes. The chef is allowed to bring some items and the pantry is well stocked so having an ingredient at hand is not a problem.

Once the secret ingredient is revealed, the chefs have 30 mins to plan but when cooking starts, it is truly one hour. The "money plates" those for the camera shots are done first and then the rest are plated when it is their turn to present.

It is really interesting and I have tried a few experiments based on shows we have seen.

 

[princess.chell]

Sometimes the Iron Chef is picked for the Challenger by the producers, which I think is boring. I love it when the Iron Chef is picked by the Challenger. As for if the producers know which Iron Chef is being picked, I'm sure they probably do. I don't think they have all three Iron Chefs hanging around every time they shoot a show.

on a side note...I miss the original Iron Chef, the Japanese version. The voice overs total made the show the best. But this Commissioner in ICA is hilarious.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Ah, thanks! I'd love to read that, but I'm too cheap (I mean cost-conscious ) to pay for the article!.

 

[kirbsam]

i loved the original too.

 

[kaytieeldr]

I don't think they have all three Iron Chefs hanging around every time they shoot a show.

Oh, you HAVE to start watching it again! There are either five or six Iron Chefs!

Originally it was Masaharu Morimoto, Mario Batali, and Bobby Flay. Then they added Cat Cora (of Kouzzina by Cat Cora fame ). Then, about a year/year and a half ago, Food Network aired a reality competition series titles "The Next Iron Chef". The final two were John Besh from New Orleans and Michael Symon from, I think, Chicago. Rumor had it Batali was leaving due to a contract dispute.

Well, Symon won - but for a long time, all the new episodes started with all five Iron Chefs. Season two aired last fall, and the finalists were, oh, gee, I forget but somebody very good, and a Chef Garces who specializes in Mexican food. He won. Just a couple of weeks ago, he started appearing on the show - at the beginning, anyway, when they're highlighting each Chef.

Now, it may just be me, but it occured to me after Sunday's episode - I don't remember Mario Batali being introduced. Not that he wasn't there (or was), I just don't remember hearing his name.

Now, you'd think with everything I do know about the show, I'd be able to answer my own questions - wouldn't you?

 

[Maggi May]

I think that Mario Batali and Food Network did not renew his contract and he's no longer taking part in the Iron Chef American productions. I think the one with the White House garden might have been one of his last shows.

I missed last Sunday's show, but definitely try and catch them whenever I can. The original Japanese show is a hoot, too. I wish Food Network would keep airing it.

 

[Octoberbride03]

I don't watch it on a regular basis, but one thing I've noticed is that they don't have every single Iron Chef around every time. Usually I only see 3 or 4 chefs at a time. And Mario Batali hasn't been there for every episode. Morimoto hasn't either. The only 1 I can think of seeing every time I watch is Bobby Flay actually. And I caught the latest episode on Saturday night. Chef Duff VS Chef Michael. I love Chef Duff.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Well, anyone who charges upward of $1,000 for a cake better be good

 

[Octoberbride03]

Well, anyone who charges upward of $1,000 for a cake better be good

This is true, but honest to God if i HAD $1,000 to spend on a cake I'd call him in a heartbeat. He beats the stuffing out Buddy on the Cake Boss I can't stand that guy.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Ah, c'mon - Buddy's entertaining Rude and opinionated and short-tempered and egostistical... but entertaining

 

[princess.chell]

Oh, you HAVE to start watching it again! There are either five or six Iron Chefs!

Originally it was Masaharu Morimoto, Mario Batali, and Bobby Flay. Then they added Cat Cora (of Kouzzina by Cat Cora fame ). Then, about a year/year and a half ago, Food Network aired a reality competition series titles "The Next Iron Chef". The final two were John Besh from New Orleans and Michael Symon from, I think, Chicago. Rumor had it Batali was leaving due to a contract dispute.

Well, Symon won - but for a long time, all the new episodes started with all five Iron Chefs. Season two aired last fall, and the finalists were, oh, gee, I forget but somebody very good, and a Chef Garces who specializes in Mexican food. He won. Just a couple of weeks ago, he started appearing on the show - at the beginning, anyway, when they're highlighting each Chef.

Now, it may just be me, but it occured to me after Sunday's episode - I don't remember Mario Batali being introduced. Not that he wasn't there (or was), I just don't remember hearing his name.

Now, you'd think with everything I do know about the show, I'd be able to answer my own questions - wouldn't you?

Oh jeez. I really am behind. Last time I check in with Iron Chef America was when Symon won. I knew up to there. I think I saw a Chef Garces one and thought he was the challenger! hahah shows how much I was paying attention!
Thanks for the update! I love the Food Network, but only have time to watch it Saturday and Sunday mornings for the cooking shows. And sometimes Ace of Cakes if I remember to set my DVR!

 

[DVC~OKW~96]

Yes, Chef Batali withdrew from Food Network in September. He was on the last contest paired with Emeril, as a request of the White House.

One of the original US Iron Chefs was Wolfgang Puck. Short lived on the show, he did one episode before "retiring."

We too were a little startled to see Chef Flay's wife as a judge! LOL.

 

[Octoberbride03]

Ah, c'mon - Buddy's entertaining Rude and opinionated and short-tempered and egostistical... but entertaining

That describes him pretty good All except the entertaining part. And after having seen a few episodes I don't think he's that great of cake decorator. I've been to a few bakeries where they do just as nice as he does, if not better.

Now Chef Duff........that is talent

 

[luvmy3]

Sometimes the Iron Chef is picked for the Challenger by the producers, which I think is boring. I love it when the Iron Chef is picked by the Challenger. As for if the producers know which Iron Chef is being picked, I'm sure they probably do. I don't think they have all three Iron Chefs hanging around every time they shoot a show.

on a side note...I miss the original Iron Chef, the Japanese version. The voice overs total made the show the best. But this Commissioner in ICA is hilarious.

i loved the original too.

The original is still on but may not be new epsiodes. I'm pretty sure it is on the Fine Living Network.

 

[DizBelle]

Ah, c'mon - Buddy's entertaining Rude and opinionated and short-tempered and egostistical... but entertaining

Not to mention, his family is nuts. It's kind of like the Soprano's on a sugar high.

 

[kaytieeldr]

That describes him pretty good All except the entertaining part. And after having seen a few episodes I don't think he's that great of cake decorator. I've been to a few bakeries where they do just as nice as he does, if not better.

Now Chef Duff........that is talent

Respectfully, I happen to find adult temper tantrums entertaining (as long as I'm not the one having, or the victim of, the tantrum ).

 

[Octoberbride03]

Respectfully, I happen to find adult temper tantrums entertaining (as long as I'm not the one having, or the victim of, the tantrum ).

To each their own They don't appeal to me but that's why man invented other channels. And if there's nothing else to watch then there's always the DIS

 

[RC Fan]

He beats the stuffing out Buddy on the Cake Boss I can't stand that guy.

Cake Boss sucks! So much fake drama! I'll take Ace of Cakes any day.