Iron Chef (1993)
Iron Chef is a Japanese television cooking show produced by Fuji Television. The series, which premiered on October 10, 1993, is a stylized cook-off featuring guest chefs challenging one of the show's resident "Iron Chefs" in a timed cooking battle built around a specific theme ingredient. The series ended on September 24, 1999, although occasional specials were produced until 2002. The series aired 309 episodes. Repeats are regularly aired on the Cooking Channel in the United States and on Special Broadcasting Service in Australia. Fuji TV will air a new version of the show, titled Iron Chef, beginning in October 26, 2012.
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Episode 1 - Michiba VS Shu Tomitoku (Pork Battle)
Release Date: 1994-01-09 -
Episode 2 - Chen vs Wan Weiping (Squid Battle)
Release Date: 1994-01-16 -
Episode 3 - Michiba VS Hoshino Jun (Egg Battle)
Release Date: 1994-01-23 -
Episode 4 - Michiba VS Tanabe Toshio (Sea Bream Battle)
Release Date: 1994-01-30 -
Episode 5 - Chin VS Taniguchi Kouichi (Shrimp Battle)
Release Date: 1994-02-06 -
Episode 6 - Michiba VS Masaki Kazuyoshi (Anago Eel Battle)
Release Date: 1994-02-13 -
Episode 7 - Chen vs Kandagawa Toshiro (Flounder Battle)
Release Date: 1994-02-20 -
Episode 8 - Sakai VS Guy Shokr (Oyster Battle)
Release Date: 1994-02-27 -
Episode 9 - Chen vs Kondo Shinji (Wheat Battle)
Release Date: 1994-03-06 -
Episode 10 - Sakai vs Kitami Hiroyuki (Tomato Battle)
Release Date: 1994-03-13 -
Episode 11 - Chen vs Kagata Kyoko (Scallop Battle)
Release Date: 1994-03-20 -
Episode 12 - Michiba VS Otakura Hideaki (Cheese Battle)
Release Date: 1994-03-27 -
Episode 13 - Michiba VS Goto Koichiro (Rice Battle)
Release Date: 1994-04-08 -
Episode 14 - Chen vs Munetaka Takahashi (Bamboo Shoots Battle)
Release Date: 1994-04-15The challenger is the first to come from Kyoto. Kyoto-style cuisine has a 1,200 year tradition. The challenger was picked by the chairman of the Kyoto Chefs Association. He decided to become a chef way back in elementary school after receiving a knife from his grandfather. Takahashi, "Kyoto style cuisine is basically mild. It is light in flavor. So I have confidence in controlling flavors at a very fine level." Judges: Tamio Kageyama (Novelist), Mayuko Takata (Actress), Masaaki Hirano (Rosanjin Scholar)
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Episode 15 - Sakai vs Mario Nakagawa (Lamb Battle)
Release Date: 1994-04-22Sakai must face a former apprentice. Which will prevail - Sakai's traditional methods or Nakagawa's nouveau "third wave" style? Judges: Tamio Kageyama (Novelist), Mayuko Takata (Actress), Asako Kishi (Critic)
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Episode 16 - Michiba vs Yukio Hattori (Truffle Battle)
Release Date: 1994-04-29Commentator Dr. Hattori issues a challenge to Michiba and is rewarded with an incredible secret ingredient. Judges: Joel Robuchon (Chef), Mai Kitajima (Actress), Masaaki Hirano (Rosanjin Scholar)
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Episode 17 - Chen vs Hiromi Yamada (Cabbage Battle)
Release Date: 1994-05-06Italian chef Hiromi was a legend. After beset by personal tragedy and financial ruin, he seeks redemption in Kitchen Stadium. Judges: Shinichiro Kurimoto (Politician), Mayuko Takata (Actress), Masaaki Hirano (Rosanjin Scholar)
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Episode 18 - Sakai vs Hiromi Funatsu (Bonito Battle)
Release Date: 1994-05-13Sakai faces the first sushi master in a fish battle for the ages. Judges: Daijiro Hashimoto (Governor of Kochi), Mai Kitajima (Actress), Masaaki Hirano (Rosanjin Scholar)
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Episode 19 - Sakai vs Masatoshi Kimura (Duck Battle)
Release Date: 1994-05-20Hot-flame Chinese cuisine is the challenger's specialty. Judges: Yasushi Akimoto (Music Producer), Mayuko Takata (Actress), Masaaki Hirano (Rosanjin Scholar)
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Episode 20 - Chen vs Kiyoshi Takahashi (Carrot Battle)
Release Date: 1994-05-27It's a rematch from the World Chinese Cooking contest. Kiyoshi won 3rd, but Chen won 2nd. This time it's war. Judges: Yasushi Akimoto (Songwriter/Producer), Mayuko Takata (Actress), Asako Kishi (Critic)
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Episode 21 - Michiba vs Kuniyuki Ishikawa (Natto Battle)
Release Date: 1994-06-03Fermented soy beans are the featured ingredient in this battle between two master chefs. The challenger is a certified Maestro of the the Japanese Cuisine Seminar Group, a Japanese chefs organization that has over 20,000 members. Michiba is also a certified Maestro and the leader of the group. Judges: Tamio Kageyama (Novelist), Ristuko Tanaka (Actress), Masaaki Hirono (Rosanjin Scholar)
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Episode 22 - Michiba vs Katsumi Hanato (Sweetfish Battle)
Release Date: 1994-06-10Kandagawa brings his apprentice to kitchen stadium for a sweetfish battle.
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Episode 23 - Sakai vs Yuji Wakiya (Sea Urchin Battle)
Release Date: 1994-06-17Sea Urchin provides a young chef the chance to revolutionalize Chinese cooking. Judges: Tamio Kageyama (Novelist), Mayuko Takata (Actress), Masaaki Hirano (Rosanjin Scholar)
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Episode 24 - Chen vs Masahiko Miyamoto (Milk Battle)
Release Date: 1994-06-24The challenger has been the top chef at one of Japan's 3 star French eateries. Judges: Kazuyoshi Okuyama (Director), Mayuko Takata (Actress), Masaaki Hirano (Rosanjin Scholar)
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Episode 25 - Chen vs Koichi Tabata (Eggplant Battle)
Release Date: 1994-07-01The challenger is a nomad. He's worked in 200 plus restaurants, so cooking in the new environment of Kitchen Stadium is no challenge. Judges: Toshio Yamaguchi (Politician), Mayuko Takata (Actress), Masaaki Hirano (Rosanjin Scholar)
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Episode 26 - Michiba vs Takashi Mera (Tuna Battle)
Release Date: 1994-07-08Knife skills will be put to the test in battle tuna. The challenger carries one of the longest knives in Japan. Despite his father being against it, the challenger began to apprentice at age 17. He is well versed in Tea Ceremony dining. He is now head chef at a restaurant visited by many Japanese Prime Ministers. He has chosen to battle Michiba because he does not like the way the Iron Chef uses non-traditional ingredients in Japanese dishes. The theme ingredient cost approximately $10,000. Judges: Shinichiro Kurimoto (Politician), Mayuko Takata (Actress), Asako Kishi (Critic)
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Episode 27 - Sakai vs Tadaaki Shimizu (Homard Battle)
Release Date: 1994-07-15Shimizu is a sous chef at the world famous Tour D'Argent. Both chefs appreciate the quality of these expensive lobsters. Judges: Shinichiro Kurimoto, Shyoko Tamura, Masaaki Hirano
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Episode 28 - Michiba and Chen vs Joël Bruant and Masafumi Furutaka (Sea Bass Battle)
Release Date: 1994-07-22Paul Bocuse sends two trusted apprentices to take not one, but two, iron chefs. This is the first time two Iron Chefs have been in Kitchen Stadium at the same time. Judges: Shinichiro Kurimoto (Politician), Kazuko Katoh (Actress), Mayuko Takata (Actress), Masaaki Hirano
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Episode 29 - Sakai vs Mitsuru Saitoh (Beef Battle)
Release Date: 1994-07-29 -
Episode 30 - Michiba vs Yasuhiko Yoshida (Eel Battle)
Release Date: 1994-08-05Kandagawa sends another apprentice to take down the Iron Chef in this slippery battle eel. If this challenger does not defeat Michiba, Kandagawa himself will come to Kitchen Stadium to challenge the Iron Chef. Judges: Tamio Kageyama (Novelist), Mayuko Takata (Actress), Masaaki Hirano (Rosanjin Scholar)
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Episode 31 - Sakai vs Hirohisa Koyama (Pike Eel Battle)
Release Date: 1994-08-12Still smarting from his challenger's defeat in Sea Urchin Battle, leading gourmet writer Masuhiro Yamamoto sends another contender - Koyama, who is so popular he is a recurring character in a cooking-themed manga.
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Episode 32 - Chen vs Katsuyo Kobayashi (Potato Battle)
Release Date: 1994-08-19Chen faces the second female chef in kitchen stadium. She is a television icon to many Japanese housewives. Both chefs enjoy fame. One's an Iron Chef, the other hosts a popular cooking show. Spuds will fly in battle potato.
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Episode 33 - Michiba vs Keiji Nakazawa (Corn Battle)
Release Date: 1994-08-26Considered the bad boy of French cooking, Keiji takes on Michiba in a battle of culinary rebels. The challenger earned the nickname Hound Dog after a 2 hour argument with Joel Robuchon about his food. He has over 10,000 recipes written down in French. He writes in French, thinks in French, and even says he dreams in French. Judges: Yasushi Akimoto (Song Writer), Julie Dreyfus (Actress),Masaaki Hirano (Rosanjin Scholar)
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Episode 34 - Chen vs Hideki Ohsako (Mushroom Battle)
Release Date: 1994-09-02Aguri Suzuki (Race car driver) and Ukyo Katayama (Race car Driver) recommend the hybrid French-Italian challenger. Osako is a heavyweight contender out to challenge Iron Chef Chinese in this mushroom battle.
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Episode 35 - Michiba vs Artur J. Rütter (Bell Pepper Battle)
Release Date: 1994-09-09The challenger is a German-born French cuisine specialist. The challenger has traveled through numerous countries collecting recipes and cooking for VIPs. Will his deficiency in the Japanese language hinder his cooking? Judges: Shigesato Itoi (Copy Writer), Kazuko Katoh (Actress), Masaaki Hirano (Rosanjin Scholar)
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Episode 36 - Michiba vs Tsutomu Hiroi (Pacific Saury Battle)
Release Date: 1994-09-16Hiroi is a Nouvelle French Chef set to battle cutting edge Japanese master Michiba.
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Episode 37 - Sakai vs Sotetsu Fuji (Yam Potato Battle)
Release Date: 1994-09-23Kitchen stadium becomes a temple of food as for the first time a Buddhist Priest enters for Battle: Yam
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Episode 38 - Chen vs Takashi Saito (Prawn Battle)
Release Date: 1994-09-30Chen must face a man who was his father's trusted apprentice. When they both prepare his father's signature dish, who will win?
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Episode 39 - Sakai vs Masamitsu Takahashi (Matsutake Mushrooms Battle)
Release Date: 1994-10-07Sakai attempts to use a traditional "Japanese" ingredient in his French cuisine
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Episode 40 - Michiba vs Xu Peirong (Shark Fin Battle)
Release Date: 1994-10-14The 50th battle in Kitchen Stadium. The challenger is the best in Hong Kong and considered one of the top three chefs in all of China. He says he has never lost in a competition he has entered. Can he keep his winning streak going in Kitchen Stadium? Judges: Shigesato Itoi (Copy Writer), Ryuichi Sakamoto (Composer), Asako Kishi (Culinary Critic)
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Episode 41 - Sakai VS Sekihata Katsuyuki (Bread Battle)
Release Date: 1994-10-21 -
Episode 42 - Chen vs Koji Kobayashi (Pumpkin Battle)
Release Date: 1994-10-28The challenger, a great Italian talent, was thought to have disappeared. He makes his return in a surprise kitchen stadium appearance.
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Episode 43 - Michiba vs Yasuo Kawada (Anglerfish Battle)
Release Date: 1994-11-04Michiba attacks a rising young apprentice from his hometown who critics have nicknamed "Little Michiba", in this angler assault. He uses the borderless cooking approach that made Iron Chef Michiba successful. Because of the time required to filet the theme fish, this battle is 15 minutes longer than usual. Judges: Shinichiro Kurimoto (Lower House Member), Mayuko Takata (Actress), Asako Kishi (Culinary Critic)
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Episode 44 - Chen vs Tadashi Sugita (Shanghai Crab Battle)
Release Date: 1994-11-11 -
Episode 45 - Michiba vs Tatsuo Umemiya (Horse Mackerel Battle)
Release Date: 1994-11-18An actor known for his cooking skills wants a chance to see what it is like to battle in Kitchen Stadium. Judges: Shinichiro Kurimoto (Lower House Member), Hisoko Monda (Actress), Masaaki Hirano (Rosanjin Scholar)
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Episode 46 - Sakai vs Seiya Kawasaki (Quail Battle)
Release Date: 1994-11-25Quail is the perfect secret ingredient...for the challenger. Can Sakai compete against this master of wild game cooking?
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Episode 47 - Chen vs Toshikatsu Nakagawa (Noodle Battle)
Release Date: 1994-12-02This challenger is the right hand man of famous chef Zhou Tomitoku. He won the bronze medal at the All China Cooking Skills Contest, beating out 300 other chefs. Noodle Battle Special Rule: Challenger will cook for 60 minutes, then tasting. Iron Chef will cook for 50 minutes, then cook for his final 10 minutes after challenger tasting is completed. Judges: Tamio Kageyama (Novelist), Mayuko Takata (Actress), Asako Kishi (Culinary Critic)
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Episode 48 - Michiba vs Hiroshi Furusho (Turkey Battle)
Release Date: 1994-12-09The challenger is a favorite of the manager of the Yakult Swallows baseball team. He is the chef at the hotel where they stay when they come to Osaka to play the Hanshin Tigers. He was once the head chef at the Japanese embassy to Morocco. He is skilled at preparing Cajun food. Many members of the Yakult Swallows are present to watch the battle. Judges: Tamio Kageyama (Novelist), Mayuko Takata (Actress), Asako Kishi (Critic)
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Episode 49 - Sakai vs Masayo Waki (Strawberry Battle)
Release Date: 1994-12-16Christmas day brings a strawberry battle and a female competitor. Sakai has a poor track record against women competitors. Will victory be his Christmas present?
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Episode 50 - Mr. Iron Chef 1994: Preliminaries
Release Date: 1994-12-23The three battles that make up the "Mr. Iron Chef 1994" tournament. Four challengers battle each other and the winner faces an Iron Chef in the first episode of the next year.