Iron Chef America: The Series

it's too bad that it has to be such a male dominated, ego driven and sexist show. have you noticed that a woman will rarely win against an iron chef?? have you also noticed that the panel has only one woman judge and two men?? no wonder the men iron chef always win. also, have you noticed how many women iron chef are out there??? I so wonder about this show and the food industry... just like another male dominating industry, men grabbed the power and will never give it to women. but in reality, women cook at home in almost every family, so you tell me how come men are always on top in iron chef and top chef shows...? the answer is simple, it's a sexist field.

I know that there are some purists out there who poo poo anything that is not exactly like the original, however sometimes spin-offs can stand on their own merits. I like the new Iron Chef because it is similar enough to the Japanese version but at the same time caters to American spirit. I love Alton Brown as commentator, because he explains things with flair. The Iron Chefs themselves are very interesting. I know the originals were probably the best chefs on the planet at the time, but Bobby Flay is the only American Iron Chef to beat them. Mario Batali seems to have the most fun when cooking, making comments and being flashy while creating. I have watched the series and find all the players work together well. The judges are not always the best choices, however. There are a few exceptions, like the lawyer turned foodie, but most of the judges are questionable in being able to handle what is served. I enjoy watching the chefs hustle and the challengers are surprising. The food at the end always looks amazing and sometimes it inspires me in the kitchen. Perhaps that is all anyone can ask, to want to really eat what is served. The only thing I would really change about the series is to ask folks on the show to lighten up a little. Sometimes the mood becomes a bit too tense, and that isn't always fun to watch when you are expecting more amusement. I liked the version with William Shatner (Iron Chef USA) because it was so over-the-top like the original, but I can tell it was a pretty expensive proposition. I wish he had stayed with this version and been the host - between Bill Shatner and Alton Brown, that would have me grinning for an hour. As long as you don't expect the original Japanese version and can accept this series on its own merits, you may find it to be an enjoyable hour.

It lacks the ironic humor of the original. The Japanese were having fun with the idea of cooking as competition... and playing it straight.. the result was utterly delightful. The Americans are humorlessly playing for keeps- it's pathetic. There was a subtlety and a beauty to the photography, the commentary... and yes, the English translation in accented voice was delicious, too.

Alton is, sadly, a bit much, ...

Oh, but I miss the hushed excitement of the Japanese commentators, and the shy, sensuous confessions of the female panelist- "I really liked it!" and the worldly, companionable bantering of the more substantial male panelist.. and the delicate, precise wording of the author-panelist... and the delightful mythos built around the person of the chairman and his "kitchen stadium". Also, come to think of it, the dignity they gave the challenger by presenting his myth as well.

Weak Bobby "Pineapple Salsa" Flay and Mario Batali bring this down.

Flay being the worst. Definitely a one trick pony, I think they could have gotten other American chefs to come to the table on this one as the Iron Chefs. The kind of dishes this duo come up with really...don't reflect on the creativity of the original Iron Chef Series. I don't think Batali even went to chef school, actually. There are a lot of great chefs in America, I just wonder why they don't appear on the Food Network.

It would also help to have more regional ingredients and perhaps co-hosts who can handle the pressure. I like Alton Brown, but he is a bit too flippant/funny for this role.

The real stars in this version is the food. I never cared much for Bobby Flay or Mario Batali. What is annoying is the mainstays seem to win most of the time! Are there other chefs who can participate other then Flay, Batali and Cat Cora? Are some of the judges for real?? I mean the challengers are top class chefs and they get beaten by Food Network celebrities?? Pathetic! It's a gross example of this thing called BIAS. However I do get a kick of finding out what the secret ingredients are and how and what will be the results. That is why I watch the show. It's the challenge of creating dishes the everyday people dream of eating in only one hour. As for the supporting characters are they OK but Mark Dacascos sometimes look like he's buttering up to the Iron Chefs with comments like "Iron Chef it is an honor seeing you work." This show could be better if other chefs not affiliated with the Food Network are given the chance of wearing the mantle of Iron Chef from time to time and the judges be more fair otherwise Iron Chef: America is nothing more than an ego contest of Food Network mainstays against everyone on the outside. What a pity it will stay that way.