Your Very Own Iron Chefs, America Quiz

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Both series ("Iron Chef America" and the original Japanese series) feature a Chairman that acts as the competition's master of ceremonies. What (fictional) relationship do these two Chairmen hold?

Answer: Uncle and nephew

Actually, Mark Dacascos, the actor who plays "ICA"'s Chairman, has no real-world family relation to the original Chairman, Takeshi Kaga. At the start of each battle, the Chairman utters the thrilling phrase: "And now, America, with an open heart and an empty stomach, I say unto you in the words of my uncle ..."

2. What phrase does the Chairman shout to start the culinary battle?

Answer: "Allez cuisine!"

This pseudo-French phrase (go kitchen, begin food) comes immediately after he reveals the Secret Ingredient. Also, he usually exclaims "Let the battle begin!" just after the challenger names the Iron Chef he wishes to compete against.

3. How much time do the chefs have to complete their dishes?

Answer: One hour

In most episodes, a challenger chosen by the show's producers gets to select one of Kitchen Stadium's resident Iron Chefs to compete with. The participants (with the help of their sous-chefs) have sixty minutes to prepare a minimum of five dishes that make creative use of the Secret Ingredient ("... the theme ingredient on which our chefs will offer their succulent variations ...").

4. Who are the co-hosts of "Iron Chef America"?

Answer: Alton Brown and Kevin Brauch

Kevin's and Alton's duties are diverse: Alton supplies the show's introduction and conclusion, Kevin introduces the judges and explains the rules, and they both provide "play-by-play" commentary on the battle - Alton makes his comments from his station on the sidelines, while Kevin "works the floor."

All the other choices listed as possible answers are Food Network personalities.

5. Which of these people became an Iron Chef as the result of winning "The Next Iron Chef" competition in 2007?

Answer: Michael Symon

Iron Chef Symon eliminated his competitors one by one and achieved his rank in November, 2007. Iron Chef Jose Garces, the victor of another season of "The Next Iron Chef" joined the exclusive group of culinary worthies in November, 2009.

In addition to Cora, Flay, Morimoto, Garces, and Symon, Mario Batali and Wolfgang Puck have also donned the Iron Chef uniform and represented Kitchen Stadium and the Chairman in battle.

6. Who has been dubbed Kitchen Stadium's "Dean of Judges?"

Answer: Jeffrey Steingarten

A panel of three judges, after sampling and commenting on all the dishes presented by the Iron Chef and the challenger, determine the battle's winner. The rotating panel is made up of various food critics, authors, restaurateurs, and celebrities from outside the world of food.

Regularly introduced as the author of "The Man Who Ate Everything," Mr. Steingarten is a frequently appearing judge. His fellow judges sometimes perceive him as combative, contrary, petulant, and exasperating in general, but his honest, informed opinions and wise judgments (or perhaps it's just the audience's thirst for drama and contention) have brought him back to Kitchen Stadium time and time again.

7. On which of the following categories are the participants NOT graded?

Answer: Appropriate portion size

Taste carries the most weight, with each of the three judges giving a maximum of ten points for taste. Each judge may also award up to five points for presentation (the appearance of the dishes), and five points for originality (creativity in the use of the secret ingredient). These scoring guidelines are quoted almost verbatim from the show - we hear them repeated in every episode.

8. In the event that the battle results in a tie, "Iron Chef America" rules require a thirty minute overtime battle to decide the winner.

Answer: False

The rules of the original series called for an overtime tie-breaking battle, but "ICA" rules permit ties. In fact, several ties have occurred throughout the show's history.

9. "Iron Chef America" has introduced legions of viewers to exciting and exotic cooking techniques, dishes, terminology, and equipment. Which of the following pieces of kitchen equipment - on numerous occasions - has been the subject of the most speculation, consternation, and hype?

Answer: Ice cream machine

From the early days of trout (yes, trout) ice cream, to chef Jehangir Mehta's obsession with making ice cream or sorbet for almost every round of "The Next Iron Chef", the notorious ice cream machine has kept people talking.

10. With what phrase does the show's host end the program?

Answer: "I bid you good eating."

Part of the mystique, drama, and cult appeal of "ICA" lies in its (admittedly slightly cheeseball) formulaic "incantations" that are heard in every episode. Devoted fans of the show should be able to speak along with the Chairman, Alton Brown, and Kevin Brauch such lines as: "Whose cuisine reigns supreme?", "The cooking continues as the competition reaches a boiling point.", "We have been graced with the establishment of our very own Kitchen Stadium ...", "Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. Konbanwa. Here come the judges.", "Today, two champions met in battle [name of secret ingredient] ...", etc. etc.

Of course, the sound effects, lighting, editing, and stirring, dramatic music also contribute to the atmosphere.

Source: Author celicadriver

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor ladymacb29 before going online.
Any errors found in FunTrivia content are routinely corrected through our feedback system.

A popular Japanese competition cooking series inspired Food Network to create its own version. The result was the exciting "Iron Chef America" ("ICA", to fans). So, how well do you "Iron Chef"? Take the quiz and find out.

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