Ishinabe vs. Jacques Borie
Originally Airdate: 12/19/93
Iron Chef, the Official Book episode# 10
Iron Chef Collection episode# 110
For Kitchen Stadium’s first Christmas battle, a Meilleur Ouvrier de France (MOF) winner is brought in as challenger: Jacques Borie, who won the medal at age 36 in 1982.
Just as Chairman Kaga is about to summon the Iron Chefs, he asks if Borie understands Japanese. “Oh yes,” Borie assures him. Kaga calls on his Iron Chefs with special fervor, and Borie selects Ishinabe, “the so-called sauce specialist of French cuisine,” for a French-on-French battle. The two smilingly shake hands as the Chairman prepares to announce the ingredient.
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Kitchen Stadium Board
22 May, 2008
Chen vs. Kentaro
Originally aired 6/19/98
Iron Chef, the Official Book episode# 235
Iron Chef Collection episode# 621
“Food is fashion.” So says popular food critic Kentaro, son of Katsuyo Kobayashi, challenger in episode 43 (ICOB) / 232 (ICC). The trouble with metaphors is… well… they’re metaphors. But the Chairman explains this statement. Author of four books, Kentaro applies to his food an understanding of aesthetics that he gained in art school. “Well, Kentaro,” urges the Chairman, “show us what you mean when you say, ‘Food is fashion’.” (more…)
Kitchen Stadium Board
10 May, 2008
Tonight, the Fine Living Network began broadcasting Iron Chef. I encourage everyone who has that channel to watch their airings of our show in the hope that renewed interest in the show will lead to more episodes being purchased and dubbed.
Update #1: We have reached the first commercial break. It seems that all of the Backdraft music is gone. All of the voice work appears to be the same. Since they had to pull the music bed from the intro, we get a dubbed Kaga during the challenger intro. More updates to come.
Update #2: Kobe’s replacement rise music has been replaced. Same style of music as the rest of the new stuff. The music for the theme ingredient rise is, of course, new. Unfortunately, the music that was in the Youtube videos is also present here. It reminds me of a bad 70’s newscast opening.
Final Update: At least the music used for the explanation of the dishes had a feel similar to the original. And I am very glad they did not change the title screens to show “Iron Chef Japan.” It seems that the music later in the show at least tries to have the same feel as the original. All voice-work is the same as are any onscreen graphics. It appears to be simply the Food Network broadcast with different music beds. I will also give them credit for airing the only challenger to specialize in Mexican food on Cinco de Mayo.
My judgement: I will certainly use any missing episodes that Fine Living airs to help complete my personal collection as well as this collection, but I don’t see myself watching these broadcasts on a regular basis. I know why they made the changes they did, but I really don’t like them. The new music lacks any dramatic feel that the original had. (This is my personal assessment of the broadcast. Other staff here may feel differently.)
If you saw the episode, let us know what you thought about it in the comments. If you think I’m being nit-picky, tell me. If anyone who did not see the episode would like me to post some clips, let us know that in the comments as well.
The Kitchen Stadium Message Boards are proud to the present the first in a series of “Iron Chef” episode reviews, written to highlight episodes available on Iron Chef Collection. Our first review is of the famous Potato Battle with Iron Chef Chen Kenichi and challenger Katsuyo Kobayashi.
Chen vs. Katsuyo Kobayashi
Original Japan Airdate: 8/26/94
Iron Chef, The Official Book episode# 43
Iron Chef Collection episode# 232
Imprinted upon your brain, forever, will be two facts by the end of this episode: Only one woman challenger has entered Kitchen Stadium before; and she defeated Chen Kenichi. (more…)
Kitchen Stadium Board
24 April, 2008