If memory serves me right, I’ve never talked about this series before.
Question: What classic tv show is now legally available for free on YouTube? No, not Dancing With the Stars? I think. (I haven’t’ checked actually.)
The answer is Iron Chef.
Iron Chef was a Japanese cooking competition television show where two cooking experts each have one-hour to make as many delicious meals as possible centered around a “theme ingredient”. The food is then presented to a panel of judges who give comments and then points for each meal. After that, a winner is decided. Simple, right?
But—like the food—the show truly shines through its unique flavor and presentation. Iron Chef is an experience. The host is theatrical. The commentators, sassy. The cooking stadium, grand. The challenger and Iron Chefs’ entrances, bombastic. And, the food, amazing.
…Well, it looks amazing. Enough, I get hungry watching every episode. Warning: Never watch Iron Chef on an empty stomach!
There are a wide variety of talented challenger chefs from up-and-comers to veterans to all-stars. Most are from native Japan— but plenty of chefs from around the world have also participated. Some challenger chefs are humble, some arrogant, and some have genuine confidence in their skills AND can back it up.
Of course, the Iron Chefs themselves aren’t backing down to anyone. They have the homefield kitchen advantage, as well as a familiarity with the palettes of the regular judges. Add all of that to the experience of knowing how much to successfully cook in one-hour puts the odds of winning greatly in the Iron Chefs’ favor.
Even so, the Iron Chefs don’t win every time. A rarely used theme ingredient by that particular Iron Chef and/or a skilled enough opponent can achieve victory. Sometimes there’s just no way of knowing who’s gonna win until the final second (Unless you read the comments section first, so watch out!).
Either way, it’s the fun of watching the creation of amazing dishes cooked by the some of the most talented chefs in the world that urges you to experience each and every episode. But, don’t take my word for it. Give it watch and see for yourself.
Allez cuisine!
Mammoth Base Opera Castle 