Iron Chef: the Superbowl of Cooking Shows
Written: Jun 21 '00 (Updated Jun 21 '00)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Original and entertaining even for people who don't like cooking shows
Cons: No recipes from this one unless you tape it and figure out what the chefs are doing
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| QueenLyssa's Full Review: Food |
"Fukui-san!"
"Yes?"
"The Iron Chef is mixing a combination of red soybean paste, fois gras, wild lemon grass, and sugar beets into the soy sauce and sake. He says it will be a marinade for the duck breast."
"Well, that's a new twist. Sounds like the Iron Chef is pulling out all the stops for this one!"
What on Earth is happening here? A Japanese cooking competition with color and play-by-play announcers that matches the intensity of a great American sports championship, that's what. Every week, a different master chef from a fine restaurant challenges the Iron Chef in a winner-take-all match for the best haute cuisine innovations, and every week the loyal following of fans find themselves rooting wildly for their favorite guy in a tall souffle hat.
The competition is pulled off with high pageantry by the master of ceremonies, Kaga Takeshi, a shogun gone Elvis in sequined cape and immaculate hair helmet. His smirk of gourmet satisfaction and anticipation is priceless as he dramatically reveals the surprise ingredient of the evening's battle to the challenging chef and his chosen house competitor, one of three Iron Chefs, each specializing in a different national cuisine (Iron Chef Japanese Masaharu Morimoto, Iron Chef French Hiroyuki Sakai, and Iron Chef Italian Masahiko Kobe). Once the theme ingredient is revealed, the Challenger and the Iron Chef throw themselves into feverish creation, each working to beat the clock to come up with a complete four to six course meal with each dish featuring the ingredient du jour.
While the chefs busy themselves racing to create original masterpieces, announcer Fukui and kitchen reporter Ota keep us up to date on every bit of action with sports announcer flair, Fukui supported in his commentary by popular Japanese celebrity guests.
When the time is up, the chefs must present their creations at Kaga's table of judgement, where they are evaluated by a panel of four celebrity judges. The chefs listen to both praise and criticism while sweating out the anxious moments of truth. Finally, both chefs are scored in areas ranging from taste to presentation, and the winner revealed with Kaga's characteristic drama.
The entire event maintains a frenetic air one usually doesn't think of as part of Japanese culture, but it is delightful and original. One can see why this show has become such a cult hit in Japan that the competitions are written up in the newspapers. There's nothing boring about this show, with its tongue-in-cheek humor and genuine entertainment. Try it once and you'll be hooked.
Airs: Friday and Saturday at 10 pm and 1 am, Sunday at 7 pm (EST) on Food Network.
Recommended:
Yes
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QueenLyssa
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Member: Lyssa Jaraba
Location: Riverside, CA
Reviews written: 64
Trusted by: 19 members
About Me:
It's good to be queen.
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