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Sakai vs. Philippe Groult
Originally aired 12/15/95
Iron Chef: The Official Book episode# 111
Iron Chef Collection episode# 348
A special challenger, for a special Christmas battle: Philippe Groult, who studied under Joel Robuchon at Jamin from 1981-84. In 1982, at age 28, Groult won the Meilleur Ouvrier de France (MOF, a prize also awarded to Robuchon, and to Claude Le Tohic, currently head chef at Robuchon’s restaurant in Las Vegas). Groult went on to open his own restaurant, L’Amphycles, in Paris. He earned two Michelin stars in two years.
Robuchon himself has a few words for the Chairman: “Although it’s going to be an uphill battle, I trust his talents. I want him to proudly represent the true flavors of French cuisine. With his depth of knowledge, skill, and experience, I’m sure he can win.”
Groult challenges Sakai — a strictly French battle. The unveiled ingredient is “what the French go crazy over on Christmas Eve, with champagne glasses in hand–”
“Oysters!”
Actress Fumie Hosokawa (After seeing some of her other work, a special BKS edition may be needed. 😉 -Keith) and Honorary Chef French Yutaka Ishinabe join Kenji Fukui and Dr. Yukio Hattori on the commentators’ panel. (more…)
The first battle between these two chefs was declared a no contest by Chairman Kaga because of the poor quality of some of the dishes. (It featured one of the “worst 3 dishes” as announced by the Chairman during the 2000th Dish Special.)
The theme for this battle is Shiroshita Karei. It literally means “Flounder at the foot of the castle.”
Nakamura made sure to turn on the rice cooker very early in this battle to avoid the mistake he made during the first battle. I think Sakai is hanging out in Kitchen Stadium because he admires how often this challenger uses circle molds.
I didn’t have much time to watch this one and look up the dishes. Sorry about that.
This time, we get a clear winner. You’ll have to watch to see who.
New in the database this week: 534OA
New episode review coming later this week.
It has been two and a half years since we had a challenger from Kyushu. The challenger is one of the top French chefs in Kyushu. He runs his own French restaurant, which he opened at only 26 years of age. He recently opened a location at a department store.
It has the commercial with Ninety-nine at the beach and the cute younger sister and an Ichiro commercial.
For some reason, the chairman starts laughing as soon as he says Allez Cuisine.
Sakai is in Kitchen Stadium to watch the battle today. I’m pretty sure that the Iron Chefs who were not doing battle that day were not usually in Kitchen Stadium to watch. Perhaps he was there to tape another episode later. The challenger has some guests as well. We see his wife, son, and daughter watching from the royal box.
Nakamura’s side seemed to make a major mistake by not pushing the switch on the rice cooker to turn it on until 15 minutes remained in the battle. Did they catch their mistake in time? Near the end of the battle, Nakamura tells Ohta that the rice should be ok, but it was a close call. I think it ended up not being ready, but I’m not positive.
Both sides have the ice cream makers running. The challenger seems to be having some trouble turning his off so he can get the ice cream out.
The Challenger’s dishes include: Jagaimo and Motsu soup (Potato and Offal soup), Mash Potato Hairtail Roll, Beef Filet under Hakata-method Galette, Vichyssoise (During the tasting of the final dish, the challenger is standing in a spot that makes it look like his head is on fire. 🙂)
Nakamura’s dishes include: Potato and Truffle Dumpling with Mentaiko Sauce, Potato Manjuu (steamed bun) Something, Potato and Salmon Grill, Meat and Potato Croquette and Sujebi (a Korean soup)(Maybe? I’m not sure.), Curry Ice Cream with Potato Sauce (I really hope I have that wrong!)
Oops. I have been corrected regarding this battle. Apparently, they had a rematch because the dishes weren’t good enough to be evaluated. I guess that’s why the next battle was a full 60 minutes.
The second battle between these two chefs will be posted tomorrow. It isn’t a normal 30 minute overtime battle.
Also this week, I’d like to let everyone know about a contest being run by the fine folks at Foodtvfans.com. Go to the thread linked and follow the instructions. You could win a free microwave. And while you are there, join in the conversations. The people that run the site are very friendly and knowledgeable. Unlike some food sites, they encourage open discussions about any topic. Help them grow their new forum.
Over the years, there were several Valentine’s Day dessert battles held in Kitchen Stadium. Today, we turn your attention to three of them.
Enjoy these special episodes of Iron Chef with the one you love.
New Japanese language episodes will be posted no later than Thursday of next week. Look for them.
Today, we bring to you the second half of the 1997 Iron Chef World Cup. (Part 1 is here.)
Alain Passard vs. Koumei Nakamura in the final of the 1997 Iron Chef World Cup.
It starts with Michiba going on a visit with Nakamura. Michiba says, “Iron Chef Nakamura has lost his way.” It even sounded like he said something about his dishes not tasting good. Was he really knocking Nakamura that much? They visit a farmer who has been farming eggplants for 30 years. They cut a round eggplant off the stalk and take a bite from it while still out in the field.
Nakamura looks on as Michiba gives him a demonstration, concluding with a lesson about finding good flavors from different ingredient combinations. (Although it almost looked like Nakamura was just adding things for the sake of adding them.) Perhaps Michiba agrees because he tells him there is too much flavor. (or too many flavors?)
The last thing we see before the battle is the presentation of a hand-made knife to Nakamura. His name is carved into it by the knife maker himself. We know that Michiba personally chose Nakamura to be his replacement, but we really see the way he mentors him in this episode.
Today, we present the first half of the 1997 Iron Chef World Cup.
If memory serves me right, it was exactly two years ago that Chairman Kaga last held a World Cup cooking battle. Rokusaburo Michiba was the winner back then. The chairman decides that he wants to see new chefs do battle. He gets his list of the best chefs in the world. He knows he has to choose very carefully. He will choose only genius chefs.
Where to have such a special battle? Arashiyama, Kyoto. He builds Arashiyama Kitchen Stadium outdoors. It appears to be a windy, drizzly day. (During the first battle, an appearance by the sun even draws a round of applause.) Here, we see a very interesting opening that shows a yellow pepper floating in the river.
The guests with the commentators for the first part of the program are Kitaoji Kinya (who says the set is wonderful) and Ishiki Sae. The chairman rises into the outdoor Kitchen Stadium. He calls for the six Iron Chefs. They walk into the Kitchen Stadium one-by-one.