Thanks! I am going to have to check ou the online version and keep my fingers crossed that a dubbed version comes out...hopefully with the sme campy feel!

I'm hoping for Morimoto to return and challenge one of the current ICs. Now that would be a battle!

I could not agree more, what make it bad for me was the fact, once the "secret" ingredient was shown, the Chiefs and sous chef's never talked a game plan. They each went to thier corner and stated working... Really.. I guess when you get to that level communication is done at a higher level...

I don't know whether this is true of Iron Chef Japan, but I have a vague memory of an Iron Chef America contestant once leaking the info that the two teams (which, hmmm, as an aside, makes me think that the Iron Chef choice is not a last-minute thing either) are told in advance that the secret ingredient may be one of two things. Chocolate or flounder. Avocado or Kobe beef. Pork or apples. Fennel or duck.

I don't know if it's true, but if it is, it suggests that each team is wise to plan for two sets of dishes in advance. It also explains (to me, at least) something about the looks on their faces when they see the secret ingredient unveiled, and their quickness in going about preparing dishes for that ingredient.

I'm sure they are leaked some information, not too how anyone could cook the kind of meal without pryor knowledge, or a very surprised look on thier face when they have 5 different types of blue cheese...

for the original iron chef, they were given a list of three (possibly more) potential theme ingredients a few days beforehand. i think chen explained the procedure in an interview once.

They are given a list of several possible ingredients. In return, the IC and Challenger prepare shopping lists for each secret ingredient. The kitchens are stocked appropriately. They are not told until battle time of the actual ingredient. The "reveal" is done several times-approx. 45 mins before the cooking starts. This is a good article about ICA.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iron_Chef_America