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Food Network Crowns a New Iron Chef

YumSugar — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 12:50:13 -0800

If you've been watching season two of The Next Iron Chef, then you already know that last night, a new Iron Chef was crowned. The two finalists - New York's Jehangir Mehta and Philadelphia's Jose Garces - flew back to Manhattan after a whirlwind trip in Tokyo to compete in Kitchen Stadium for the final showdown. Get the scoop (warning: spoilers ahead!) when you read more.

What Did You Think of The Next Iron Chef?

YumSugar — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 11:20:57 -0700

Last night was the season premiere of The Next Iron Chef. For the elimination challenge, each of the ten industry vets was asked to cook using a different extreme ingredient. The list ran the gamut from unlaid eggs with fallopian tubes still attached to jellyfish, eel, and sea cucumber.

The putrid-smelling elements, like stinky tofu and durian, would've been the toughest to work with, simply because, when it comes to food, aroma is a component that can't be compromised. But it was the fallopian tube attached to the unlaid egg that really made my stomach turn.

To those of you who tuned in to watch the first episode: Which ingredient was the hardest to work with - and which was the most off-putting? What are your initial thoughts on the show in general?

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Do You Plan to Watch Season 2 of The Next Iron Chef?

YumSugar — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 11:45:05 -0700

It starts this Sunday at 9 PM!

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A New Battle Begins Over The Next Iron Chef!

YumSugar — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 11:45:51 -0700

Days before the season finale of The Next Food Network Star - and hot off the heels of another captivating Top Chef Masters round - we've learned more about another foodie reality TV show. After the first successful iteration of The Next Iron Chef in 2007 (alums Michael Symon, Chris Cosentino, and Aaron Sanchez have all become Food Network personalities), the show is returning for a second season on Oct. 4.

This season will purportedly "take the contestants from Los Angeles to Japan to New York to compete in the food fight of their professional lives." Alton Brown hosts once again, with the competitors facing the wrath of three judges: returning panelist and restaurateur Donatella Arpaia, Vogue food writer Jeffrey Steingarten, and sustainable advisor (and Slow Food Nation director) Anya Fernald.

Who will be next to join the likes of Bobby Flay, Cat Cora, Mario Batali, Michael Symon, and Masaharu Morimoto (who just confirmed plans to open his first West Coast restaurant)? I've got my speculations - and I'd love to hear yours below. Find out who the 10 contenders are.

Food Network Stirs the Pot With New Lineup

YumSugar — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 15:00:06 -0700

Belong to the camp that loves watching the Food Network? You'll be happy to know that it's not only bringing back some of its popular shows for more seasons, but it'll also be adding some surprising new developments into the mix.

The Next Food Network Star is back for a fifth season in June - and a sixth is already planned for 2010. Once Top Chef Masters is over, you can tune into season two of The Next Iron Chef, which returns in October. Wondering what happened to season one contestants Chris Cosentino and Aaron Sanchez? Well, they'll be featured in a new program called Chef vs. City.

In the show, which debuts this July, the duo will be "pitted against two local foodies in a winner-takes-all race through a different city each week."

Intrigue is only one word we have for a new cooking show airing in August, starring none other than - you'll never guess - Olympic gold medalist Brian Boitano. In the daytime show - tentatively and humorously titled What Would Brian Boitano Make?, the ice skater will demonstrate how he entertains for friends.

Also coming this year is Sandra Lee's budget-friendly cooking show Sandra's Money Saving Meals and Extreme Cuisine With Jeff Corwin, which sounds like Food Network's answer to Bizarre Foods. In 2010's lineup, Rescue Chef Danny Boome will host a new series that shows diners how to prepare healthier, cheaper versions of their favorite take-out dishes; Alton Brown will host a miniseries on foods that have changed the world; and Anne Burrell tackles a team of hopeless home cooks in Worst Cooks in America.

I can't wait to check out Boitano's show, for the shock factor. I'll also tune into watch Chris Cosentino and Aaron Sanchez, some of my favorites from Next Iron Chef. What shows are you looking forward to watching?

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The Year's Best Rising Celebrity Chef

YumSugar — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 08:00:56 -0800

As part of our Best of 2008 series, you told us who was the best rising celebrity chef of the year. You love The Neelys and Curtis Stone, but your number one favorite is Next Iron Chef winner Michael Symon. We agree with you; he's our favorite at Yum.

There's more than one reason we like the Cleveland chef: He's talented yet modest; on Iron Chef America, he's got a great sense of humor and an infectious laugh; and his Greek-inspired food is always heads above the rest.

Why do you like Michael Symon?

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Did the Right Person Win The Next Iron Chef?

YumSugar — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 05:01:33 -0800

Did you guys watch The Next Iron Chef finale last night? [Spoilers ahead] The two final contestants met up at Kitchen Stadium where they had one hour to make six dishes from swordfish - the evening's secret ingredient - at a breakneck speed. Their dishes were then judged by the current Iron Chefs and deliberated on by the rest of the judges. In the end Michael Symon was crowned victor and will be joining Morimoto, Flay, Cora and Batali - where was he anyway? - as the newest Iron Chef.

So what did you think of the episode? Did you agree with the judges? Are you looking forward to Symon's Iron Chef episodes?

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Which Elevated American Dish Did You Want to Try?

YumSugar — Mon, 05 Nov 2007 12:13:11 -0800

Last night, I thought it was fascinating how the Iron Chef prospectives had to make American food in Paris. I know it's just a slight twist on elevated comfort food, but I must admit that I loved the angle each of the three chefs took. Each one had their perspective, a gourmet twist and downright beautiful looking food. What did you guys think? Which dish did you want to try?

Also, what did you think of the elimination? If you missed the episode, you can watch the entire thing online.

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Who Had the Most Challenging Ingredients on The Next Iron Chef?

YumSugar — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 11:15:09 -0700

Week three of The Next Iron Chef was all about resourcefulness, so the chefs had to prove themselves by cooking with wild-grown ingredients on wobbly outdoor tables. The six chefs were divided into pairs, and each one chose ingredients for his "partner." Then, the foods - including escargot, wild flowers, and dandelion greens - were loaded into coolers and transported to outdoor cooking stations with very limited supplies. [ALERT: Spoilers ahead.]

I was surprised by how much difficulty the chefs had lighting their grills; I mean, it's not like they didn't have charcoal. But I was impressed with what they created with ingredients that didn't even sound like they'd taste good together. Chef Symon really blew everyone out of the water by making polenta, serving his quail family-style, and mixing up a refreshing berry drink. Gavin and Morou said goodbye, and Aaron Sanchez survived by the hair of his goatee. Whose ingredients do you think were hardest to work with?

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Does The Next Iron Chef Feel Too Much Like Top Chef?

YumSugar — Mon, 15 Oct 2007 11:15:09 -0700

To my surprise, I was riveted by last night's episode of The Next Iron Chef. In week two, the first challenge focused on simplicity - creating a single bite of food - while the other involved innovation in the form of so-called molecular gastronomy. This science-inspired form of cooking, practiced by Wylie Dufresne of WD-50, involves strange equipment and chemical ingredients such as xanthan gum. The challenge was so bizarre it was fascinating, and the chefs performed well in very unfamiliar territory.

The more I watch The Next Iron Chef, though, I'm struck by how similar the format is to Top Chef - from the frantic kitchen scenes with a big red digital timer to the familiar feel of the judges' table. But I still like Iron Chef, even if it feels like a slight ripoff. How about you?

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