# Do you like Iron Chef America? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [July 14, 2006, 1:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-like-iron-chef-america/364465 "2006-07-14T13:47:22Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Improv\_Geek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b3f665/32.png) [@Improv\_Geek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Improv_Geek)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2006, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-like-iron-chef-america/364465/41 "2006-07-15T14:32:44Z")
If you’d like to see the Chairman in any of his other roles, check out ‘Brotherhood of the Wolf.’ ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2006, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-like-iron-chef-america/364465/42 "2006-07-15T17:10:35Z")
[QUOTE=ronincyberpunk] If you’d like to see the Chairman in any of his other roles, check out ‘Brotherhood of the Wolf.’ [/QUOTE] A few years ago there was a special performance of Les Mis for the anniversary of the play that was shown on PBS. There was no set just the performers (an all star cast from the original American and British casts) on stage singing the songs. At the end they had a parade of Jean Valjean’s from the casts of productions around the world. They each sang a line or two from one of the songs in their native language. When it got to Japan… Chairman Kaga sings! ---
**Author:** ![wolfman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/a8b319/32.png) [@wolfman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfman)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2006, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-like-iron-chef-america/364465/43 "2006-07-15T18:15:26Z")
> [@](#): > > If ratings are good enough, I’m sure they will eventually find a counterpart to the Otha Faction..I can’t for that to happen. That would be much harder to do here. The Ohta faction’s whole beef was that Morimoto was abandoning traditional Japanese cooking styles in favor of ‘corrupted’ fusion methods.(I never figured out how much was serious, and how much was show, but I always figured there was a fair amount of true resentment there. What exactly could you do to replicate that in America? There is no traditional American style. We’ve been stealing from other cultures since the day it was founded. I guess you could have someone come-on and challenge Flay’s ‘grilling’ with real grilling(hehe his old redneck buddy from _grillin’ and chillin’_ would be cool, that guy kicked ass and hated Flay’s “put it near the propane for 3 nanoseconds and call it grilled method”), but how much real grilling can you do in 1 hour? I would love to see Flay’s ego kicked pretty good though. ---
**Author:** ![Heckxx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/f1d935/32.png) [@Heckxx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Heckxx)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2006, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-like-iron-chef-america/364465/44 "2006-07-15T19:31:26Z")
Well, it wouldn’t even have to be that specific. Maybe just a good chef and his pack of lesser chefs just wants to challenge the iron chefs. Like it wouldn’t have to be about a certain cooking style thats done wrong. Maybe I’m getting my factions mixed up. I’m familiar with the Ohta faction against Morimoto’s untraditional cooking…but what was the deal with Kandagawa versus Michiba? For some reason, i think that as “Ohta faction” as well, but maybe my memory’s slipping me… Anyways…an american KANDAGAWA would be a good idea… ---
**Author:** ![Key\_Lime\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/48db29/32.png) [@Key\_Lime\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Key_Lime_Guy)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2006, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-like-iron-chef-america/364465/45 "2006-07-15T22:58:19Z")
I like ICA because it seems to accurately simulate the frenetic pace of an actual kitchen. I regard it as a glimpse into actual artistic creation, which you rarely see on TV. On Bobby Flay: he’s not a warm personality but lately he’s been routinely winning in the ‘taste’ category by a whopping margin (8-10 pts) so he must be really good. I respect that. ---
**Author:** ![Zebra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/c0e974/32.png) [@Zebra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zebra)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2006, 1:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-like-iron-chef-america/364465/46 "2006-07-16T01:10:22Z")
No I don’t. I love Iron Chef, the new US version is terrible. The original US rip-off with William Shatner was worse, but at least it had Shatner. ---
**Author:** ![Wile\_E](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c37758/32.png) [@Wile\_E](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wile_E)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2006, 4:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-like-iron-chef-america/364465/47 "2006-07-16T04:30:15Z")
I am dubious of how surprising the secret ingredient is to the chefs. It seems like I rarely see little if any confab between the chefs and their sous chefs, yet everyone starts running around doing their thing right away. ---
**Author:** ![Duke\_of\_Rat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ad7895/32.png) [@Duke\_of\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duke_of_Rat)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2006, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-like-iron-chef-america/364465/48 "2006-07-16T14:15:24Z")
They had a re-run on the frozen pea battle last night, I caught a little of the end. I hadn’t seen the tasting/judging portion of this episode before. I loved it when one of the women judges said, “There is a lot of pea-ness going on”, talking about one of the challenger’s dishes. Jeffrey gave her a sideways glance that was priceless. Pea-ness ensued. ---
**Author:** ![Key\_Lime\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/48db29/32.png) [@Key\_Lime\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Key_Lime_Guy)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2006, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-like-iron-chef-america/364465/49 "2006-07-16T15:40:20Z")
[QUOTE=Wile E] I am dubious of how surprising the secret ingredient is to the chefs. It seems like I rarely see little if any confab between the chefs and their sous chefs, yet everyone starts running around doing their thing right away. [/QUOTE] They’re given 24-hours notice. I think ---
**Author:** ![Key\_Lime\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/48db29/32.png) [@Key\_Lime\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Key_Lime_Guy)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2006, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-like-iron-chef-america/364465/50 "2006-07-16T15:42:14Z")
(sorry premature post) I think … that’s something the show has admitted publicly. It would be a trainwreck otherwise, I imagine. ---
**Author:** ![bouv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bc8723/32.png) [@bouv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bouv)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2006, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-like-iron-chef-america/364465/51 "2006-07-16T16:57:55Z")
**Key Lime Guy** : IIRC, The chefs are given a list of several secret ingredients that the final one wioll be choosen from. ---
**Author:** ![Wile\_E](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c37758/32.png) [@Wile\_E](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wile_E)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2006, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-like-iron-chef-america/364465/52 "2006-07-16T17:09:04Z")
I also caught parts of the frozen pea battle last night. I missed the very end when they named the winner, so who won that? It seemed like the challenger had the most original ideas, which brings up the pea-cicle. The idea of a frozen pea popcicle covered in chocolate sounds disgusting but the judges seemed pleasantly surprised. So were they faking it or could that actually taste good? ---
**Author:** ![nameless](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/779978/32.png) [@nameless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nameless)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2006, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-like-iron-chef-america/364465/53 "2006-07-16T17:46:21Z")
I have only two complaints about ICA. 1. Bobby Flay is a total cock. I’ve seen him berate his sous chefs a few times on screen, which is an attitude I just can’t accept. These people are supposed to be your apprentices and co-workers, and I don’t think this approach to teaching does anyone any good. Cat Cora–now there’s a chef I’d want to work under. Somewhat of a tough exterior but smiles often and takes shots of ouzo after every episode. Damn right. 2. The secret ingredients themselves aren’t as difficult to work with as the ones on Iron Chef Japan. Let’s see the producers throw Flay into Battle Sea Urchin and see how he does. ---
**Author:** ![Wile\_E](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c37758/32.png) [@Wile\_E](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wile_E)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2006, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-like-iron-chef-america/364465/54 "2006-07-16T18:01:32Z")
[QUOTE=nameless] … 1. The secret ingredients themselves aren’t as difficult to work with as the ones on Iron Chef Japan. Let’s see the producers throw Flay into Battle Sea Urchin and see how he does. [/QUOTE] I’m guessing that copious amount of chiles would be involved … oh right, that’s everything he cooks. ---
**Author:** ![Duke\_of\_Rat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ad7895/32.png) [@Duke\_of\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duke_of_Rat)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2006, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-like-iron-chef-america/364465/55 "2006-07-17T00:59:45Z")
[QUOTE=Wile E] I also caught parts of the frozen pea battle last night. I missed the very end when they named the winner, so who won that? It seemed like the challenger had the most original ideas, which brings up the pea-cicle. The idea of a frozen pea popcicle covered in chocolate sounds disgusting but the judges seemed pleasantly surprised. So were they faking it or could that actually taste good? [/QUOTE] Flay won, despite a perfect score in originality from the challenger. Flay kicked his ass in taste and presentation. I think the pea-cicle also had cream cheese in it, the judges seemed to actually enjoy them. I’m sure that dish alone had to contribute towards the perfect originality score. Flay’s food is either amazing, or he gets some home field votes, or something. The judges seemed to really enjoy the challenger’s dishes, and even ragged on Flay, but still he won handily. ---
**Author:** ![Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e480ec/32.png) [@Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Least_Original_User_Name_Ever)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2006, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-like-iron-chef-america/364465/56 "2006-07-17T01:40:01Z")
Alton Brown adds a ton to the show. The Japanese may have talked between themselves but was edited out due to language differences. I do wish the guest cook could pick his challenge. The difference is Saikai. He made the old show. ---
**Author:** ![Pixiesnix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/898d66/32.png) [@Pixiesnix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pixiesnix)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2006, 4:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-like-iron-chef-america/364465/57 "2006-07-17T04:41:46Z")
> [@](#): > > **Heckxx** wrote: > Maybe I’m getting my factions mixed up. I’m familiar with the Ohta faction against Morimoto’s untraditional cooking…but what was the deal with Kandagawa versus Michiba? For some reason, i think that as “Ohta faction” as well, but maybe my memory’s slipping me… Kandagawa and Michiba had a rivalry going until Michiba retired. Then Kandagawa became the “spokesman” for the Ohta faction (I guess Ohta didn’t have enough personality) and took to provoking Morimoto as a pastime. ---
**Author:** ![Heckxx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/f1d935/32.png) [@Heckxx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Heckxx)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2006, 11:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-like-iron-chef-america/364465/58 "2006-07-17T11:28:19Z")
Thanks **Pixiesnix** , that makes sense now[ [QUOTE=Wile E] The idea of a frozen pea popcicle covered in chocolate sounds disgusting but the judges seemed pleasantly surprised. So were they faking it or could that actually taste good? [/QUOTE] Lets not forget that peas do have a mildly sweet taste to them, so they do make good candidates for ice cream or dessert applications, in a pinch. My guess is that the judges really did like them. Chefs have made desserts from eggplant, asparagus, and lobster…all of those receiving positive praise. Of course, some deserts have not worked out very well…like Cora’s pork ice cream or the Too Hot Tamale’s turkey sorbet. And the judges have noticed such dis-tastes in laughter. ---
**Author:** ![OneCentStamp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/13edae/32.png) [@OneCentStamp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OneCentStamp)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2006, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-like-iron-chef-america/364465/59 "2006-07-17T14:47:48Z")
[QUOTE=Wile E] I am dubious of how surprising the secret ingredient is to the chefs. It seems like I rarely see little if any confab between the chefs and their sous chefs, yet everyone starts running around doing their thing right away. [/QUOTE] They’re given a list of three or four possibilities, so while they’re nominally surprised by what’s under the hood, they aren’t completely unprepared. ---
**Author:** ![Key\_Lime\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/48db29/32.png) [@Key\_Lime\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Key_Lime_Guy)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2006, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-like-iron-chef-america/364465/60 "2006-07-17T14:49:26Z")
[QUOTE=bouv] IIRC, The chefs are given a list of several secret ingredients that the final one wioll be choosen from. [/QUOTE] After last night’s ep, I’m certain they know the ingredient (not just a range of them). The secret ingredient was dungeness crab. One of the chefs had two large pots of water boiling when the battle began. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-like-iron-chef-america/364465.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-like-iron-chef-america/364465.md?page=4)