OK, this is kind of funny: I got invited to watch a couple of upcoming tapings of Iron Chef on the Food Network in New York.One battle teams Iron Chef Cat Cora and Paula Deen (Paula’s Home Cooking and Paula’s Party) against Robert Irvine (Dinner Impossible) and Tyler Florence (Tyler’s Ulimate).
The second battle pits veteran Iron Chef Mario Batali against the Naked Chef Jamie Oliver.
I've been to an Iron Chef taping before and, let me tell you, it takes FOREVER. The actual competition is really only 1 hour - and the chefs do work up a sweat. It's the before and after that takes so long. Seriously. When News Journal photographer Suchat Pederson and I left after attending a taping, we were exhausted. We went for a late lunch at Pastis, a French bistro in the Meatpacking District nearby, and after some coq au vin, all was right in the world.
What the Food Network leaves on the editing room floor is sometimes even better than what's shown on TV. (I watched Rachael Ray and Mario Batali vs Giada DeLaurentiis and Bobby Flay. Sometimes, the chefs are geniunely hurt when the judges bash their dishes. And not all the meanie comments make it on air. Mo Rocca was a guest judge and he was hilarious - but some of his best lines weren't broadcast.)
I dunno, does anyone want to read a story about Deen - we call her Mrs. Mayonnaise in my house? It may be fun to watch her hustle around the kitchen. But, for some reason, I think she is going to get her clock cleaned against Irvine and Florence.
Mario and Jamie would be my first choice. But I've interviewed Mario many times before - and have already watched him in an Iron Chef battle. Jamie Oliver has been missing in action - at least in the U.S. - for a couple of years.
Should I stay or should I go?
4 comments:
You should def go...Mario Batali yesterday denied reports that he's been fired from the Food Network but a network source says he's just trying to save face. Batali said yesterday that he's filming "Iron Chef America" next week but the source says Batali is still filming the current season and will not be on the new season, which begins November 18
Are you privy to how Iron Chef goes about casting its challengers? I'd love to see a couple of Delaware's best, specifically Chef Nate from 821, try their hand against one of the Iron Chefs.
Maybe pass it along to one of the producers when you're in the studio ;)
I always wanted to know this about Iron Chef. I see they making 1 portion of their dishes but serving 4 portions. Where or how do the other 3 portions come from?
The photo above, taken by News Journal photographer Suchat Pederson, is of Mario Batali, AFTER an Iron Chef battle, plating dishes for the judges. On camera, the chefs have to plate one dish. But after the 1-hour battle, then actually get some time to dish up the food - so it's served hot to the judges. One of those "magic of television" moves that viewers don't get to see.
As for choosing competitiors, chefs are lined up way in advance. If one of the producers asks my advice, I'd definitely tell him or her to give Delaware a shot. Tom Douglas, a Delaware native and St. Mark's grad, who now owns several Seattle restaurant, competed and won an Iron Chef battle.
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