{"id":87,"date":"2008-07-25T08:45:05","date_gmt":"2008-07-25T14:45:05","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/ironcheffans.info\/wordpress\/?p=87"},"modified":"2008-07-25T10:09:27","modified_gmt":"2008-07-25T16:09:27","slug":"kitchen-stadium-episode-review-michiba-vs-hattori","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/ironcheffans.com\/?p=87","title":{"rendered":"Kitchen Stadium Episode Review: Michiba vs. Hattori"},"content":{"rendered":"

Michiba vs. Yukio Hattori<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Originally aired 4\/29\/1994<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Iron Chef, the Official Book episode# 26<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Iron Chef Collection episode# 216<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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Kitchen Stadium was only seven months old at the time of this interesting episode. The Chairman explains that he has been searching for the heir of Rosanjin<\/a>, but–<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

He has discovered a traitor in his midst. Dr. Yukio Hattori, President of Hattori Nutrition College, dares aspire to become a fourth Iron Chef. The Chairman graciously agrees to that, if Hattori wins.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cActually,\u201d the Chairman explains, \u201cthis man has two faces. One, as his official role as the fifth president of his school — the face of an educator. The other face, is as the heir to a 500-year long tradition of Hattori style cooking. The style originated back in the 1400s. It established the protocol for cooking in a Samurai family. And Hattori is the one who succeeds this tradition… Underpinning Hattori\u2019s dishes are years of interaction with top chefs around the world.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAlso, today, I have invited a VIP to my arena, a man who is often called the god of French cuisine. His name — Joel Robuchon.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSo now, Hattori! In front of Joel Robuchon<\/a>, this god of French cuisine, reveal to us all, your burning ambition!\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Daunting words to Hattori, but he replies, \u201cIron Chefs — you\u2019re going down!\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAn unusual scenario, to say the least,\u201d begins Fukui, who introduces former Iron Chef French Yutaka Ishinabe as the only other commentator for this battle.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The chairman first introduces Joel Robuchon, who is joined by Jacques Borie, who challenged Ishinabe in the Chicken Battle. These two chefs sit in the Royal Box.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Hattori enters holding an apple, which will be his symbol should he win. And he sets his sights high, by challenging Michiba. Now, what ingredient could possibly be worthy of this battle, which is doubly special? Kaga did not hesitate at all:<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cTruffles. If my memory serves me correctly, truffles are said to be amongst the most luxurious ingredients in the world.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Ishinabe explains that the boxful on the ingredient platform would cost between $5000 to $6000. \u201cAnd the price is still going up.\u201d He also tells how the truffle\u2019s pattern, revealed when it is sliced, can indicate its quality.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Hattori breaks out his own ceramic knife. His assistant pours a load of chopped truffles into a pot, as he starts a Perigueux sauce. The ice cream maker is started on his side. Celery root is sliced and boiled. Despite Ishinabe\u2019s doubts about having enough time, Hattori creates a chilled gelee of truffles. His assistant presses the celery root through a strainer. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

After writing his menu, Michiba cuts up lobster, which goes into a pot with broccoli and truffles. Ishinabe exclaims over Michiba\u2019s use of blowfish soft roe: \u201cThis is so elegant!\u201d Michiba purees this soft roe with yogurt, prawns, and fresh cream in his food processor. Sea urchin roe comes into use, and a risotto with abalone is made.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Borie and Robuchon, not content to watch from afar, make their way down to the Stadium floor. Robuchon later tells Ohta, \u201cThis is very impressive and interesting. I\u2019ve never seen a program quite like this.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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Challenger Hattori presents four dishes:<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n