The Next Iron Chef


The Next Iron Chef is a limited-run series on the Food Network that aired its fifth season in 2012. Each season is a stand-alone competition to select a chef to be designated an Iron Chef, who will appear on the Food Network program Iron Chef America.
In Season 1, eight chefs from around the United States battled to be the next Iron Chef. The show debuted Sunday, October 7, 2007, and the hosts were Alton Brown and "The Chairman", Mark Dacascos. Challenges one through five of the competition were held at the Culinary Institute of America. Challenges six and seven took place in Munich and Paris, respectively. The final challenge took place at the Food Network studios in New York City, on the Iron Chef America set. The winner of The Next Iron Chef was Cleveland restaurant chef Michael Symon.
Season 2 premiered on October 4, 2009, and featured ten chefs battling to be the newest Iron Chef. The show was based in Los Angeles before traveling to Tokyo for two episodes, and again hosted by Alton Brown and "The Chairman" Mark Dacascos. Following a final battle in Kitchen Stadium, Chicago-born Ecuadorian-American chef Jose Garces, was selected the newest Iron Chef. Garces debuted as an Iron Chef on January 17, 2010, when he squared off against Seattle chef Rachel Yang.
Food Network began airing commercials for the third season of The Next Iron Chef in July 2010. It was later announced in an internet press release that Alton Brown and judge Donatella Arpaia would return for season 3. Completing the judges panel are food writer and broadcaster Simon Majumdar and current Iron Chef Michael Symon. Season 3 began airing on October 3, 2010, on Food Network. The winner of season 3 was Marc Forgione. Chef Forgione engaged in his first battle on November 28, 2010. By November 30, 2010, Next Iron Chef's music composer Craig Marks released the soundtrack "Iron Chef America & The Next Iron Chef", which contains themes from all seasons of both shows.
During Season 4, the eliminated chefs were interviewed during the week following the episode airdate on ABC's The Chew. The first castoff was interviewed on November 1, 2011.
Season 5 aired from November 4, 2012, to December 23, 2012, and was called The Next Iron Chef: Redemption.
In 2017, the series was revived as Iron Chef Gauntlet.

Season 1: 2007

Contestants

Judges

The contest was judged by food writer Michael Ruhlman, Bon Appétit restaurant editor Andrew Knowlton, and restaurateur Donatella Arpaia.

Results

Episode 1

  • Challenge 1: Speed
  • Challenge 2: Artistry
  • First aired: October 7, 2007

Episode 2

  • Challenge 3: Simplicity
  • Challenge 4: Innovation
  • First aired: October 14, 2007

Episode 3

  • Challenge 5: Resourcefulness
  • First aired: October 21, 2007

Episode 4

Episode 5

  • Challenge 7: Lead and Inspire
  • First aired: November 4, 2007

Episode 6

  • Challenge 8: Attain Greatness
  • First aired: November 11, 2007

Season 2: 2009

Contestants

Judges

The judges are restaurateur Donatella Arpaia, food author and long-time Iron Chef America judge Jeffrey Steingarten and sustainable food expert Anya Fernald.

Results

Episode 1

  • Challenge 1: Memory
  • Challenge 2: Fearlessness
  • First aired: October 4, 2009

Episode 2

  • Challenge 3: Simplicity
  • Challenge 4: Interpretation
  • First aired: October 11, 2009

Episode 3

  • Challenge 5: Innovation, Part I
  • Challenge 6: Innovation, Part II
  • First aired: October 18, 2009

Episode 4

  • Challenge 7: Adaptability
  • First aired: October 25, 2009

Episode 5

  • Challenge 8: Pressure, Part I
  • Challenge 9: Pressure, Part II
  • First aired: November 1, 2009

Episode 6

  • Challenge 10: Umami, Part I: Yakitori
  • Challenge 11: Umami, Part II: Five Flavors of Rice
  • First aired: November 8, 2009

Episode 7

  • Challenge 12: Integrity
  • First aired: November 15, 2009

Episode 8

  • Challenge 13: Imagination
  • First aired: November 22, 2009

Season 3: 2010

Contestants

Judges

The judges are restaurateur Donatella Arpaia, food writer and broadcaster Simon Majumdar and current Iron Chef Michael Symon, winner of the Season 1 competition.

Results

Episode 1: Ingenuity

  • Secret Ingredient Challenge : Each chef must make a sandwich expressing his or her culinary style
  • Chairman's Challenge: Cook a dish on the beach, using tropical ingredients. Their dish must feature the one food they would want to have on a deserted island.
As the winner of the Secret Ingredient Challenge, Chef Estes was able to have a five-minute advantage to grab ingredients from the "pantry" and start cooking.
  • First aired: October 3, 2010

Episode 2: Innovation

  • Secret Ingredient Challenge : Create a breakfast transforming these two ingredients.
  • Chairman's Challenge: Roadside diner classics
As the winner of the previous challenge, Maneet Chauhan was able to assign the dishes to prepare to each chef. Mary Dumont, having come in last, received a one-minute penalty assessed at the beginning.

Episode 3: Resourcefulness

  • Secret Ingredient Challenge : Create a "portable snack" expressing the ingredient's versatility.
  • Chairman's Challenge: Create two dishes that revolve around the fishes the chefs caught. Chefs who were short on fish were also allowed to use sardines as a focus ingredient too.
As the winner of the previous challenge, Marc Forgione was able to replace one of his caught fishes with someone else. He replaced one of his scorpion fishes with Celina Tio's caught snapper as a result. Duskie Estes, having come in last, received a one-minute penalty assessed at the beginning.

Episode 4: Transformation

  • Secret Ingredient Challenge : Each chef is assigned to transform a selected condiment, such as mayonnaise, ketchup, or ranch dressing, into a dish featuring the condiment.
  • Chairman's Challenge: At the San Diego County Fair, each chef must transform ingredients found at the fair's concession stands into three dishes: one fried, one on a stick, and one grilled. All dishes must be prepared on a large outdoor grill.
As the winner of the previous challenge, Celina Tio had a five-minute head start in the 30-minute hunt for ingredients on the fair grounds. Maneet Chauhan, having come in last, received a one-minute penalty assessed at the beginning of cooking.
  • First aired: October 24, 2010

Episode 5: Respect

  • Secret Ingredient Challenge
  • Chairman's Challenge: Each chef was challenged to cook four dishes; one each representing the northern, southern, eastern and western regions of the United States.
  • First aired: October 31, 2010
Note: In this episode, Iron Chef Jose Garces served as a guest judge, substituting for fellow Iron Chef Michael Symon.

Episode 6: Inspiration

  • Secret Ingredient Challenge : The chefs were given two hours to create a dessert display.
  • Chairman's Challenge: Each chef was tasked with creating his or her own buffet display and was given 3 hours to create three hot and two cold entrees. As winner of the previous challenge, Ming Tsai was given a one-minute head start on selecting his ingredients.
  • First aired: November 7, 2010

Episode 7: Seduction

  • Secret Ingredient Challenge : Create a cocktail along with a suitable bar food snack to associate with the drink.
  • Chairman's Challenge: Seduce the judges by creating three luxurious dishes featuring one luxury protein. Each chef selected a safe containing an unknown quality ingredient in turn, before collecting additional ingredients from four fine dining restaurants in 30 minutes. Marco Canora had the advantage to trade his unopened safe for another chef's ingredient, along with selecting at which restaurant each chef will begin gathering ingredients. Canora traded his unopened safe for Tsai's ingredient: Wagyū beef.
  • First aired: November 14, 2010

Episode 8: Honor

Secret Ingredient: Thanksgiving Feast
  • First aired: November 21, 2010

Season 4: 2011: Super Chefs

Contestants

Judges

The judges for season four were current Iron Chef Michael Symon, food writer and broadcaster Simon Majumdar, and Iron Chef Judy Joo from Iron Chef UK.

Results

Episode 1: Resourcefulness

  • Chairman's Challenge: "Primal: Heat and Meat"
  1. Spike Mendelsohn and Marcus Samuelsson
  2. Anne Burrell and Robert Irvine
  3. Alex Guarnaschelli and Elizabeth Falkner
  4. Geoffrey Zakarian and Beau MacMillan
  5. Michael Chiarello and Chuck Hughes
  • Secret Ingredient Showdown: Scallops
  • First aired: October 30, 2011

Episode 2: Transformation

  • Chairman's Challenge: "Take Me Out to the Ballgame"
  • Secret Ingredient Showdown: Peanuts
  • First Aired: November 6, 2011

Episode 3: Ingenuity

  • Chairman's Challenge: "Let's All Go to the Lobby"
Ingredient Order:
  1. Chocolate Covered Raisins: Chef Guarnaschelli
  2. Malt Balls: Chef Falkner
  3. Popcorn: Chef Hughes
  4. Gummy Candy: Chef Chiarello
  5. Cinnamon Candy: Chef Zakarian
  6. Root Beer: Chef Burrell
  7. Chocolate Covered Caramels: Chef Samuelsson
  8. Sweet and Sour Candy: Chef MacMillan
  • Secret Ingredient Showdown: Tofu
  • First Aired: November 13, 2011

Episode 4: Improvisation

  • Chairman's Challenge: "Food is Funny"
  • Secret Ingredient Showdown: Coconuts
  • First Aired: November 20, 2011

Episode 5: Storytelling

  • Chairman's Challenge: "New York on a Plate"
Landmark Order:
  1. Statue of Liberty : Chef Chiarello
  2. Times Square: Chef Zakarian
  3. Broadway: Chef Samuelsson
  4. Empire State Building: Chef Guarnaschelli
  5. Central Park : Chef Burrell
  6. Brooklyn Bridge : Chef Falkner
  • Secret Ingredient Showdown: Bagels
  • First Aired: November 27, 2011

Episode 6: Risk

  • Chairman's Challenge: "Food Auction"
Ingredient Order:
  1. Canned Sardines: Chef Burrell
  2. Wagyu Beef: Chef Zakarian
  3. Maine Lobster: Chef Chiarello
  4. Tuna Jerky: Chef Falkner
  5. Leg of Lamb: Chef Guarnaschelli
  • Secret Ingredient Showdown: Ponzu and Panko Bread Crumb Dessert
  • First Aired: December 4, 2011

Episode 7: Passion

  • Chairman's Challenge: "Hamptons Beach Cookout"
  • Secret Ingredient Showdown: Three-Bite Crackers and Wine Appetizer Course
  • First Aired: December 11, 2011

Episode 8: Pressure

  • Chairman's Challenge: "Holiday Meal"
  • First Aired: December 18, 2011

Season 5: 2012: Redemption

Contestants

  • Duskie Estes ; Redemption from Season 3
  • Elizabeth Falkner ; lost to Cat Cora in Battle Honey in Season 3. Also has appeared on Food Network Challenge; Redemption from Season 4
  • Alex Guarnaschelli ; lost to Cat Cora in Battle Farmers' Market in Season 5; Redemption from Season 4
  • Spike Mendelsohn ; lost to Michael Symon in Battle Prosciutto in Season 8; Redemption from Season 4
  • Nate Appleman ; lost to Michael Symon in Battle Suckling Pig in Season 7; Redemption from Season 2
  • Amanda Freitag ; lost to Bobby Flay in Battle Alaskan King Crab in Season 7; Judge, Chopped; Redemption from Season 2
  • Eric Greenspan ; beat Bobby Flay in Battle Goose in Season 8; Redemption from Season 2
  • Jehangir Mehta ; lost to Masaharu Morimoto in Battle Coconut in Season 7; Redemption from Season 2
  • Marcel Vigneron
  • Tim Love ; beat Masaharu Morimoto in Battle Chile in Season 4

Judges

The judges for this season are: Iron Chef Geoffrey Zakarian, restaurateur Donatella Arpaia, and food writer Simon Majumdar.

Results

Episode 1: Resourcefulness

  • Chairman's Challenge: "Resourcefulness"
  1. Alex Guarnaschelli: Lobster
  2. Amanda Freitag: Shiitake Mushrooms
  3. Duskie Estes: Calamari
  4. Elizabeth Falkner: Black Garlic
  5. Eric Greenspan: Grasshoppers
  6. Jehangir Mehta: Buffalo
  7. Marcel Vigneron: Avocado
  8. Nate Appleman: Banana
  9. Spike Mendelsohn: Scallops
  10. Tim Love: Kale
  • Secret Ingredient Showdown: Pineapple
  • First aired: November 4, 2012

Episode 2: Innovation

  • Chairman's Challenge: "Innovation"
  1. Tacos: Alex Guarnaschelli, Spike Mendelsohn, Duskie Estes
  2. Banh Mi: Eric Greenspan, Nate Appleman, Elizabeth Falkner
  3. Falafel: Jehangir Mehta, Marcel Vigneron, Amanda Freitag
  • Secret Ingredient Showdown: White bread
  • First aired: November 11, 2012

Episode 3: Simplicity

  • Chairman's Challenge: "Simplicity"
  1. Alex Guarnaschelli and Marcel Vigneron
  2. Elizabeth Falkner and Amanda Freitag
  3. Nate Appleman and Eric Greenspan
  4. Jehangir Mehta and Spike Mendelsohn
  • Secret Ingredient Showdown: Cereal
  • First aired: November 18, 2012

Episode 4: Transformation

  • Chairman's Challenge: "Transformation"
  1. Vigneron: Canned Clams
  2. Mehta: Mystery Can
  3. Mendelsohn: Canned Vienna Sausage
  4. Guarnaschelli: Canned Spiced Ham
  5. Falkner: Mystery Can
  6. Appleman: Mystery Can
  7. Freitag: Canned Corned Beef
  • Secret Ingredient Showdown: Lobster
  • First aired: November 25, 2012

Episode 5: Risk

  • Chairman's Challenge: "Risk"
  1. Cow Heads: Marcel Vigneron
  2. Paiche: Elizabeth Falkner
  3. Bison Ribs: Alex Guarnaschelli
  4. Wheel of Parmesan: Amanda Freitag
  5. Ostrich Eggs: Jehangir Mehta
  6. Mortadella: Nate Appleman
  • Secret Ingredient Showdown: Anchovies
  • First aired: December 2, 2012

Episode 6: Fusion

  • Chairman's Challenge: "Fusion"
  1. Blue Cheese and Peanut Butter: Marcel Vigneron
  2. Bone Marrow and Rainbow Candies: Jehangir Mehta
  3. Clams and Strawberries: Nate Appleman
  4. Chicken Liver and Peppermint Candies: Alex Guarnaschelli
  5. Calamari and Miniature Marshmallows: Amanda Freitag

Episode 7: Transcendence

  • Chairman's Challenge: "Transcendence"
  1. Amanda Freitag and Nate Appleman
  2. Alex Guarnaschelli and Marcel Vigneron
  • Secret Ingredient Showdown: Chocolate
  • First aired: December 16, 2012

Episode 8: Passion and Respect

  • Chairman's Challenges: "Passion" and "Respect"
  1. Farm-raised Chicken : Amanda Freitag
  2. Haddock : Nate Appleman
  3. Sea Urchin : Alex Guarnaschelli
  4. Bobby Flay: Corn, Avocado, Limes, Chili Peppers
  5. Masaharu Morimoto: Panko, Ponzu, Soy Sauce, Miso, Daikon Radish, Wasabi
  6. Michael Symon: Eggplant, Feta Cheese, Olives, Phyllo Dough
  • First aired: December 23, 2012

Vietnamese version

A Vietnamese version of The Next Iron Chef premiered on November 18, 2012, on VTV3 which also broadcasts Iron Chef Vietnam. It premiered a week after Iron Chef Vietnam ended the first series.

Thai version

A Thai version of The Next Iron Chef premiered on June 23, 2019, on Channel 7 (Thailand) During The Iron Chef Season 8