Iron Chef Collection episode# 621<\/a><\/p>\n“Food is fashion.\u201d<\/em> So says popular food critic Kentaro, son of Katsuyo Kobayashi, challenger in episode 43 (ICOB) \/ 232 (ICC). The trouble with metaphors is… well… they\u2019re 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. \u201cWell, Kentaro,\u201d urges the Chairman, \u201cshow us what you mean when you say, \u2018Food is fashion\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\nKaga begins his introduction of Kentaro with the statement that \u201cKatsuyo Kobayashi was the first woman chef to take down Chen Kenichi.\u201d What\u2019s that? That\u2019s not right. Error in translation? Mistake in the show\u2019s script? Kentaro takes on Chen. Kaga explains that mother and son take different culinary paths, so it would be interesting to use the same ingredient as in his mother\u2019s battle, to see how the two styles diverge. But–not quite the same ingredient. They are potatoes, yes, but new, or baby–just harvested from Nagasaki.<\/p>\n
Commentators are singer Sachiko Kobayashi (whose recent concert Fukui attended), actor Junichi Ishida, Dr. Yukio Hattori, and Kenji Fukui. The Royal Box holds not only Kentaro\u2019s mother, but a group of attractive young women, which the Chairman comments on.<\/p>\n
Kentaro begins the battle by removing four or five rings, a watch, and at least one bracelet. (But wait–if food really is fashion…) \u201cLooks like he\u2019s at a pawn shop or something,\u201d cracks Fukui. As Kentaro writes a menu, his mother urges him to start cooking. \u201cI just can\u2019t figure out what that boy\u2019s making!\u201d she tells Ota, and breaks into laughter. \u201cNew potatoes are very difficult to deal with… I feel the pressure just watching him from up here.\u201d Her other comments throughout the battle include: \u201cI don\u2019t believe this! What is that? He doesn\u2019t know what he\u2019s doing!\u201d Responding to something Ota says, she points an accusing finger and says, \u201cWhaaat? You made that up!\u201d (I often suspect that Ota gets a little too creative with his quotes.)<\/p>\n
We\u2019re reminded numerous times of Chen\u2019s loss to Kentaro\u2019s mother. He delicately cuts thin slices of potatoes, telling Ota he\u2019s planning a dessert. He prepares a sauce with fresh cream, lobster brains, Chinese soup stock, salt, and sesame oil. \u201cLobster brains!\u201d my wife shouts with a grimace. \u201cHey,\u201d I reassure her, shrugging, \u201cmaybe they know something we don\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was great fun,\u201d Kentaro reassures Ota at the battle\u2019s end. Ota prods Chen: \u201cYou said you just couldn\u2019t bear to lose this one, right? A matter of pride?\u201d \u201cUmmm,\u201d responds Chen, \u201cwell, it\u2019s good to see sons growing up… uh, er, what in the world am I saying?\u201d<\/p>\n
The challenger submits six dishes:<\/p>\n