Talk:Iron Chef America/Archive 1

Relationship

Regarding the supposed relationship between the Chairman of the original and American versions of Iron Chef, obituaries from the Honolulu Star-Bulletin (Reprinted here), and statements apparently made by Dacascos to one of his fanclubs, have established the fact that the two have no actual relation in real life. Dacascos's mother didn't have any brothers whatsoever to begin with. The confusion here almost certainly comes from the non-realization that Chairman Kaga is a fictional character. --Mukashi 06:17, 2005 Jun 11 (UTC)

Winning

What happens if a challenger wins? Does he/she replace the Iron Chef challenged? This should be included in the article.--Linklewtt 03:12, 16 July 2006 (UTC)

You're joking, right? Lambertman 03:19, 16 July 2006 (UTC)

It's a legitimate question, on many shows the winning challenger returns as a champion until he is defeated. Jeopardy! works this way, and a famous historical example would be the 1950s quiz show Twenty One.

But to answer the question, no, the challenger does not become the new Iron Chef. The Iron Chefs are appointed (supposedly, in the fiction of the show, by the Chairman) and remain Iron Chefs until they decide to retire. Pimlottc 15:33, 19 July 2006 (UTC)

This brings up a good question, though; does a winning challenger get anything? I know there's no material prizes on the show itself; the original promised "the people's ovation and fame forever", but I'm not familiar enough with this show to remember if there's a similar spiel at the beginning of this one.

They could get a prize outside the show though; some sort of bonus clause in their contract to appear on the show, perhaps. That is, assuming they get compensated for appearing on the show, which I assume they would. Pimlottc 15:49, 19 July 2006 (UTC)

I watch this show all the time and i am a fan of it, and as for material goods, no. But, at the beginning they will show a screen (as they always do) with a picture of the iron chef and the challenger, and it says their years of experience, their type of cooking (ex. southwestrn), and their record (wins-ties-losses). so instead of saying "1st battle" they will change it to 1-0-0 (or what ever their record be) EvilHom3r 11:36, 1 August 2007 (UTC)

Format Reorg

The Format section should be reorganized along the following lines:

• Remove all references to Iron Chef and Iron Chef: USA
• Add a sub-section to History with comparisons between the various versions of the show.

This would reudce confusing nature of the Format section for readers unfamiliar with the various verisons of the show and their rules. As it reads now, even I'm confused, and I've been watching Iron Chef shows for years. -Harmil 12:24, 23 Jun 2005 (UTC)

Actually, I think most of the references to Iron Chef and Iron Chef: USA need to be removed. While it's important to compare the shows, it seems like that's all that is being done here. Doesn't read too well, if you ask me. Perhaps a new section is in order that can address the differences between the shows? cpritchett42 05:27, 9 November 2005 (UTC)

Hmm, do you think it worth noting that the combatants are only required to at least present a template for the five meals required of them and not necessarily prepare 4 plates of each meal? As I remember in the original Iron Chef, they really had to prepare four plates each. This does not seem to be a requirement in ICA. --Destron Commander 13:11, 30 July 2006 (UTC)

CRITICISM

The criticism in the opening paragraph is overly extensive, and IMHO sounds like the work of a slightly overenthusiastic fan. I don't think I've heard most of those points ever brought up as contention. Some editing is in order, perhaps? Lambertman 16:14, 10 June 2006 (UTC)

Not so secret ingredients?

How do they prepare all other ingredients? Say if I need some oranges and they don't have them, what should I do? Some cooks may need a special breed of chicken or a particular brand of olive oil, how do they get the materials if they don't have them? -- Toytoy 15:54, July 14, 2005 (UTC)

On the special that aired before the "Battle of the Masters", they showed a staff of food buyers going off to purchase things that each chef requested be in the common pantry. So, the chefs prepare a list before the battle of what they want, and the production crew finds it. Gentgeen 17:32, 14 July 2005 (UTC)

Records

Does anyone have the 5 Iron Chef's winning records??

See List of result statistics on Iron Chef America Pimlottc 16:16, 22 November 2006 (UTC)

Fan site

Does anyone know of an Iron Chef America fan site? Feb 21 2006

Challengers

A section with the names and descriptions of at least some prominent challengers such as Michael Symon needs to be added.

where is kitchen stadium?

Where is Kitchen Stadium? It would be a useful addition to the article... Atlanta? -- Joebeone (Talk) 04:35, 29 May 2006 (UTC)

The current article has a contradiction; The history section says the regular series is taped in L.A. and Battle was taped in New York, while the Kitchen Station section says the stadium is located in L.A. Which is it? Pimlottc 05:06, 26 June 2006 (UTC)

Spoilers

There's a number of spoilers in the article, where the result of matches is given away. In most cases, it really isn't necessary to mention who won a battle, but it's mentioned in passing anyway. We shouldn't give away the result when possible. Pimlottc 04:45, 26 June 2006 (UTC)

And furthermore, since there is a Iron Chef America stats article with all the complete details, the victors can be omitted from the main article while still available for those interested. Pimlottc 05:09, 26 June 2006 (UTC)

Recipe and plate template

From watching the show, one can see that the Iron Chef and the challenger chef seem to only need to prepare at least one plate of each meal. It's like they only need to prepare a template. On the original Iron Chef, they really had to prepare four plates of each meal. Do anyone here think it's worth mentioning? --Destron Commander 14:50, 21 August 2006 (UTC)

I've added newly revealed info about how they prepare the full number of plates after the filming has ended. (Biochemike 06:31, 20 March 2007 (UTC))

Flay vs. Morimoto

I have updated the section about the battle and rematch between these two. The info comes from the recently aired Chefography of Flay. The idea that he demanded the rematch is not true (quite the opposite is true). Nor is there any mention of his spicy food being the reason he may have won the rematch... this seems too opinionated to me. The refereneces to the injuries he suffered are important enough to be mentioned I believe and I think that is a revelation first admitted in the Chefography. (Biochemike 14:51, 20 March 2007 (UTC))

Mario Batali Quitting?

I read a New York Post article yesterday, and it said Food Network did not renew his show Molto Mario. In return, Mario Batali is going to quit Iron Chef America. I tried to verify it using google, but I didn't find anything. I did find a website that denied the claim. http://www.newsday.com/entertainment/ny-etmario0905,0,2887102.story

RuneWiki⁷⁷⁷ 19:39, 6 September 2007 (UTC)

That's what The Next Iron Chef is determining.

According to the Mario Batali article, at last note Food Network said he would still be on ICA. However, his being noticeably absent from the season finale makes em think that may no longer be true. AnmaFinotera (talk) 23:01, 17 November 2007 (UTC)

Batali no longer appears on the opening sequence to the show. This is pretty definitive evidence that he is no longer an Iron Chef. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 72.130.182.194 (talk) 04:11, 14 February 2011 (UTC)

I fixed Bonecrusher's name.

I remembered when he was on they said they never had a chef with just one word name. —Preceding unsigned comment added by Rouge2 (talk • contribs) 04:10, 17 October 2007 (UTC)

No References

Is anyone else bothered by the section heading "References" which has nothing under it? Pafufta816 (talk) 07:49, 19 November 2007 (UTC)

Mildly, but only because that means the article has no references, which should be rectified (hence it being tagged). It will be fixed in a moment, though, as it appears there were three references, just not properly tagged as such. AnmaFinotera (talk) 09:13, 19 November 2007 (UTC)

Only Three Iron Chefs?

The first airing of Michael Symon as an Iron Chef did not have the traditional opening in which Alton introduces all the Iron Chefs. During the competition, you can see the pictures of the Iron Chefs in the back of the room. The only chefs pictured were Flay, Cora and Symon. Looks like Batali and Morimoto were no longer there. It has been rumored that Bataili had quit Iron Chef, but Morimoto's absence was somewhat of a surprise. Anybody able to confirm this? Dmine45 (talk) 12:15, 19 November 2007 (UTC)

It is possible Batalli is gone, though previous reports stated that he would stay on the show. There is no word or rumor that Morimoto is leaving, so may have just been that there wasn't a shot with his picture on it. Food Network's page still lists all of them, though. AnmaFinotera (talk) 14:37, 19 November 2007 (UTC)

Just because their bio is still listed on the Food Network page doesn't mean they're still there. Often times because these shows are rerun ad nauseum forever that their bios will stay on the website even though they no longer produce new shows. Sister channel HGTV is famous for this.Dmine45 (talk) 10:53, 20 November 2007 (UTC)

It also doesn't mean they have both been removed, though, especially since that was also a special episode. It would be better to wait for either a news release starting that Batali is indeed gone (and especially Morimoto), or for a regular episode before either is marked as retired from the article. AnmaFinotera (talk) 15:47, 20 November 2007 (UTC)

In an article on CNN Money that was published yesterday, the article states there are five Iron Chefs and names them all. No mention is made of Mario or Morimoto leaving. AnmaFinotera (talk) 02:16, 22 November 2007 (UTC)

In tonight's new episode, all FIVE Iron Chefs were introduced, so no, neither is gone at this point. AnmaFinotera (talk) 02:02, 26 November 2007 (UTC)

I did see this as well. So they will continue to have 5 chefs at this time.Dmine45 16:32, 30 November 2007 (UTC)

Kitchen Stadium has traditionally only had room for 3 portraits up front (ICUSA is an exception, but that was because they introduced four ICs from the start). In ICJ, this was the reason why IC Kobe was typically separately introduced at the side. It's also to note that a CG walkthrough of Kitchen Stadium in the mango/mixology battle has 4 portraits (however, Cora's portrait is to the right of Morimoto's, which is typically different from how they are arranged when both Morimoto's and Cora's portraits are up), and at that point each IC portrait has been excluded in at least one episode (at that point, the portraits are always in the order Flay, Morimoto, Cora, and Batali, and one portrait was excluded). Furthermore, logistics may be a factor (IIRC, there are only two episode tapings of ICA in a day), as normally they can't bring in all 5 ICs and have three sit there and do nothing (the big pan shot that's used when a challenger enters and greets the chairman is typically composited). In short, they're too cheap to put up all 5 portraits up at once. kelvSYC (talk) 20:21, 26 November 2007 (UTC)

Contestants informed of possible secret ingredients the night before?

As with the Iron Chef Japan, are contestants advised the day before of three possibilities that the secret ingredient might be? Badagnani (talk) 05:42, 21 December 2007 (UTC)

Yes, they are given a list of possibilities for which they provide shopping lists (though don't know how long in advance that is). As per the article, most of the chefs can quickly figure out what the ingredient will be when they see what was bought, and they see the ingredient at least 15 minutes before the start of the battle for strategizing. AnmaFinotera (talk) 05:48, 21 December 2007 (UTC)

I'm out of reverts

Someone please keep an eye on this page? Lambertman (talk) 01:24, 19 August 2008 (UTC) I always wondered how the chefs and the sou chefsknow exactly what to cook as soon as the secret ingredient is revealed. There is no " thinking time" involved. The sou chefs are just as busy preparing, chopping and cooking as the iron chefs. What gives with this??? I know they are excellent chefs, but come on now, no ones brain thinks that fast in order to get five dishes thought of in a nano second. What are we missing here?????? HELP nwith this please......

Just some trivia

I dont think we should put thi n, but can any one remember watching this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2xPvYgTvr8I&feature=related Vitual aelita (talk) 15:20, 20 August 2008 (UTC)

Faulty French

The signature challenge is meaningless French. The chairman begins with the phrase "Allez Cuisine." This would translate as "Go Kitchen," which means nothing. The phrase should be, "A La Cuisine," which gives a very meaningful "TO THE KITCHEN!" (or - "Off to the kitchen!") It would seem that the American pruducers were trying to imitate what they heard on the Japanese original. Given the vagaries of mishearings the and the confusion from Japanese French to American French. "A la cuisine," became "allez cuisine."

For whatever reason, the phrase on the program is wrong.

I have tried to note the error in the actual page article and it has been removed. I am a native French-English speaker. You might also verify this with anyone with the slightest knowledge of the language. —Preceding unsigned comment added by TonyArd (talk • contribs) 01:41, 30 March 2009 (UTC)

What you've described is quite commonly known, and many of us who speak at least some French know the literal translation is incorrect. The "error", if indeed it is an error rather than a deliberate informal translation, was made in the Japanese version and brought over to the American version. The problem is, there's no evidence that it is a mis-hearing, which is why your edit was removed. The Food Network has noted on its site that the Chairman does say "Allez Cuisine!" Therefore, any attempt to explain the French as a mis-hearing is original research, and as such cannot be included in the article.

What has to be remembered is this is not a serious food program, much less one where one can expect the use of French by a native speaker, but a slightly campy, tongue-in-cheek competition show. The erroneous French simply adds to the over-the-top quality of the show. Drmargi (talk) 03:33, 1 April 2009 (UTC)

Having seen yet another edit to this phrase in the article, something occurred to me. The original phrase "Allez cuisine" was a translation of Japanese into French, rather than English into French. It could be that the nature of the construction of Japanese (of which I speak none) made this translation the most appropriate version of whatever the Chairman would originally have said in Japanese. Drmargi (talk) 23:16, 24 June 2009 (UTC)

If the self appointed editors of this page would take the time to listen to the earlier versions of fhe Japanese program and if they have even the slightest ability to hear linguistic distinctions, they will note that the phrase is a Japanese accented "A la cuisine" NOT "Allez cuisine." But - just as with everything these days - actual intellectual information has no strength in the face of popular hype. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 96.245.75.137 (talk) 02:17, 3 August 2009 (UTC)

What intellectual information? That's what this "self-appointed editor" (what other kind is there at the Wikpedia?) would like to know. And what makes your interpretation of the original Japanese phrase any better or more intellectually sound than anyone else's, particularly given the term intellectual information (whatever the heck that is) is a misnomer? It's been long and well-publicized that the phrase is "Allez cuisine" in both the Japanese and American versions of the show. All this huffing and puffing about mistranslations and mishearings entirely misses the point: the phrase is a nonsense, nothing more. And all the theories and suppositions about what the Chairman might have heard or misheard is original research, nothing more, and as such, as no place here. Food Network has long made it clear the phrase IS "Allez cuisine." Give it a rest and give up, folks. Drmargi (talk) 07:00, 3 August 2009 (UTC)

What Intellectual information?: Does the self-appointed editor speak French? I would think not. Does the self -appointed editor have an ear to hear that the orginal Japanese show says "A la cuisine!" - It would seem not. Does tthe current editor bend to the ineptitude and crassness of the Scripps Network, it would seem Yes.

Again, you miss the point. It is well documented, in English and Japanese, that the Chairman gets the French wrong and says "Allez Cuisine!". This is not a show that's meant to be taken seriously, particularly the Japanese version. Look at the exaggerated costumes, biased judging, you name it. The American show is only slightly less OTT, and follows the Japanese tradition of using the erroneous French. C'mon -- do you really believe there's a Chairman with a special studio, etc., much less that he has a nephew in the US with the same thing? Get a bit of perspective and go with the joke. We're not talking about an assault on the French language here, just a pretentious Japanese version of Liberace and his martial arts expert nephew misusing a French phrase. (Oh, and it's customary to sign your posts.) Drmargi (talk) 04:18, 26 February 2011 (UTC)

If you're going to do something, it's just as easy to do it well and correctly as it is to do it poorly. If you speak French or if you have an ear, the original Japanese is "A la cuisine." Food Network execs, from the quality of the material they present, are hardly the measure. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 71.185.170.133 (talk) 04:13, 24 August 2009 (UTC)

I entered another edit that agrees with the above statements. My edit was non-judgemental and purely objective. It was removed. Who has the authority to do this? Do they speak French? Je dirais que "non." —Preceding unsigned comment added by 76.124.92.121 (talk) 04:01, 29 August 2009 (UTC)

Wolfgang Puck

Why is Wolfgang Puck listed as starring on ICA? I think he's been a challenger, but that's about it. Aufheben (talk) 14:00, 6 June 2009 (UTC)

It's in the History section. he was an original IC in the four-episode "Battle of the Masters." Lambertman (talk) 14:05, 6 June 2009 (UTC)

But Sakai isn't mentioned, though he seems to have played an identical role in the Battle of the Masters." Aufheben (talk) 20:16, 17 June 2009 (UTC)

I'll clarify. Puck was an original American IC with Flay and Batali. Sakai (and, at that time, Morimoto) were in the "challengers" role as goodwill ambassadors from the original Kitchen Stadium. When the show went to series, Puck didn't move to NY with the show, and Morimoto became an ICA. Lambertman (talk) 23:16, 17 June 2009 (UTC)

Gotcha, thanks! Aufheben (talk) 12:25, 18 June 2009 (UTC)

Notable (?) Judges

I've removed the list of notable judges. It has gone from being a listing of a few particularly distinguished or noteworthy judges to a long list of every judge who's famous. Trouble is, they nearly all are. And what is the criterion for notability? With none established, we're into WP:POV territory. As it is now, c'mon: when you include Chris Cognac, a Hermosa Beach cop with a one-season minor show on Food Network, notability has gone out the window and listmaking has come in. It adds nothing to the article, and needs to go. Drmargi (talk) 19:56, 15 July 2009 (UTC)

Greatest moments?

The "greatest moments" section should be removed; it seems extremely subjective and arbitrary. Even if it is decided to keep it, numbering the entries is even more subjective and arbitrary. Sings-With-Spirits (talk) 02:15, 13 September 2009 (UTC)

These were drawn from a Food Network program, not any sort of arbitrary selection or ordering by an editor. Please read the narrative that explains the special program. Drmargi (talk) 04:52, 13 September 2009 (UTC)