# The Next Iron Chef **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [November 26, 2012, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-next-iron-chef/642189 "2012-11-26T19:48:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 15\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Snickers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/5daacb/32.png) [@Snickers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snickers)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2012, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-next-iron-chef/642189/61 "2012-12-17T20:46:14Z")
Snarkaschelli also put a bunch of dark chocolate into the onions that she braised in some wine, too. I’m pulling for my gal Freitag - I hope she wins. ---
**Author:** ![VOW](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/vow/32/3043_2.png) [@VOW](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VOW)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2012, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-next-iron-chef/642189/62 "2012-12-17T22:14:47Z")
The first time Nate Appleman competed in an “Next Iron Chef” contest, he was insufferable. I wanted someone to take him back behind the pantry and strangle him with octopus tentacles. He’s changed a LOT. I’m sure just growing up and maturing has helped, but it was revealed in the “Chopped Masters” that his son has Kawasaki’s Disease. Dealing with your child’s medical nightmare can really mellow a person, but it’s a helluva way to do it! I’ve always liked Alex, and I adore Amanda. Alex can be a real bitch as a Chopped judge, but I’ve watched her on a lot of other Food Network programs, and I just like her. Besides, anyone who names a restaurant “Butter” can’t be ALL bad! Amanda is a classy, gorgeous lady, and it would be delightful to have another woman Iron Chef…since Cat Cora has sort of vanished from the lineup. But any of these three can win the competition and I’d be satisfied to watch him or her compete as an Iron Chef. If Marcel would have won eventually, I would probably never watch the show again. He is a sterling example of a person who needs to grow up before he can be noteworthy. ~VOW ---
**Author:** ![Palo\_Verde](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/65b543/32.png) [@Palo\_Verde](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Palo_Verde)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2012, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-next-iron-chef/642189/63 "2012-12-18T16:45:43Z")
I’ve been impressed at Marcel. He got a lot farther than I thought he would, and seemed to be cooking some real quality food, and it came close to winning this week. And he is is less of a jerk than when he was on Top Chef, his social skills have certainly improved. BUT, I’m also really glad that he didn’t win and become and Iron Chef. He just doesn’t have the experience and maturity yet. Maybe in 10 years. But as for this year, I’m rooting for my girl Freitag! ---
**Author:** ![not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/not_what_you_d_expect/32/3246_2.png) [@not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/not_what_you_d_expect)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2012, 2:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-next-iron-chef/642189/64 "2012-12-19T14:04:08Z")
He impressed me too. He is maturing and I agree he will make an excellent Iron Chef someday. Freitag really has amazed me. I had no idea she was this accomplished. ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Doom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/0ea827/32.png) [@Dr\_Doom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Doom)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2012, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-next-iron-chef/642189/65 "2012-12-19T14:40:41Z")
I think **Freitag** has the best personality to be an _Iron Chef_. It’s one thing to have the skills, but to be a bit animated, and obviously having fun is much better TV. When **Freitag** was a challenger on _ICA_, she was obviously having a good time, talking to **AB** and also **Bobby Flay** while cooking. I think I would enjoy watching her in _Kitchen Stadium_ over the other 2, although **Guarnaschelli’s** demeanour as **Zakarian’s** sous is similar to what I’m describing for **Freitag** , so it’s a tough call. ---
**Author:** ![joyfool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/df788c/32.png) [@joyfool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/joyfool)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2012, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-next-iron-chef/642189/66 "2012-12-19T18:52:42Z")
I like Alex, but I’m rooting for Amanda. She’s an awesome chef and is just so adorable. I agree, she’d be lots of fun to watch. ---
**Author:** ![VOW](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/vow/32/3043_2.png) [@VOW](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VOW)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2012, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-next-iron-chef/642189/67 "2012-12-19T20:33:10Z")
Okay, it’s decided. We’ll have Amanda Freitag as the Next Iron Chef. Alex can continue as Iron Chef Zacharian’s sous chef. And it’s time for Bobby Flay to GO. ~VOW ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2012, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-next-iron-chef/642189/68 "2012-12-19T21:07:57Z")
Yes Freitag as IC And if Alex is Zacharian’s sous chef, does that mean she’s always under him and never on top? :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![Covered\_In\_Bees](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/7ab992/32.png) [@Covered\_In\_Bees](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Covered_In_Bees)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2012, 3:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-next-iron-chef/642189/69 "2012-12-23T03:48:29Z")
Is anyone else annoyed, if not fully angry, that the last episode will feature two people being eliminated at once, like last year? I assume one person is going to get screwed like Alex did last year and not even get the chance to defend themselves. ---
**Author:** ![VOW](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/vow/32/3043_2.png) [@VOW](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VOW)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2012, 8:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-next-iron-chef/642189/70 "2012-12-24T08:04:31Z")
Yay, Alex!!! ~VOW ---
**Author:** ![Brynda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e79b87/32.png) [@Brynda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brynda)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2012, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-next-iron-chef/642189/71 "2012-12-24T15:24:01Z")
I’m happy for Alex. It was great to see how much they all really wanted it. ---
**Author:** ![eenerms](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/cdc98d/32.png) [@eenerms](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eenerms)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2012, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-next-iron-chef/642189/72 "2012-12-24T15:43:54Z")
> [@eenerms](#): > > It’s all a set up for Alex to win. She is Zakharian sous on ICA and doesn’t get horrible notes on her food. I predict Alex to win… ahem…was I right? thought it was a screw..oh well. ---
**Author:** ![not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/not_what_you_d_expect/32/3246_2.png) [@not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/not_what_you_d_expect)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2012, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-next-iron-chef/642189/73 "2012-12-24T16:10:24Z")
You were right. I had bet on Amanda. ---
**Author:** ![eenerms](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/cdc98d/32.png) [@eenerms](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eenerms)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2012, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-next-iron-chef/642189/74 "2012-12-24T16:24:17Z")
> [@not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](#): > > You were right. I had bet on Amanda. Me too:) ---
**Author:** ![Palo\_Verde](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/65b543/32.png) [@Palo\_Verde](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Palo_Verde)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2012, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-next-iron-chef/642189/75 "2012-12-24T21:01:15Z")
Grrrr. I really thought Freitag had this one. She won the most challenges and had the best complements on her food during the competition. She just got edged out in that final dessert. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-next-iron-chef/642189.md?page=3)