Food Network has finally revealed new details and images about its upcoming reboot, Iron Chef Gauntlet, hosted by the Chairman Alton Brown. According to a press release sent to us by Food Network, the six-episode season will premiere on April 16 at 9 p.m. EDT/PDT. But that's not all! We now know who the Iron Chefs, competitors, and judges will be along with a few images of a challenge ingredient. These thrilling new insights will make you more excited than ever about the iconic show's return.
To top it off, Food Network says it will air a one-hour special "celebrat[ing] historic moments" of the original show prior to the premiere called The Legend of Iron Chef at 8 p.m. There's an additional show after Iron Chef Gauntlet called Iron Chef Eats at 10 p.m. where "familiar faces from Iron Chef reveal their favorite food spots from around the country." If that wasn't enough for you, FoodNetwork.com will feature "tips and tricks that home cooks can use in their own kitchens" so you can hone some serious Iron Chef skills. It's a great day to be an Iron Chef fan!
Alton Brown will host the show. He told his Facebook fans, "[Y]ou're not going to want to miss this. I'm very, very proud of it."
Three legendary Iron Chefs, Bobby Flay, Masaharu Morimoto, and Michael Symon, will face the last standing competitor in the finale episode.
The guest judges include Iron Chefs Cat Cora, Marc Forgione, Jose Garces, and Alex Guarnaschelli. The judging panel will also comprise food experts like Ali Bouzari, Anne Burrell, Giada De Laurentiis, Anya Fernald, Ching-He Huang, and Ludo Lefebvre.
Seven competitors will battle it out to become the next Iron Chef. You may recognize a few faces . . .
Chef Nyesha Arrington has an inspiring mission that may knock her competition out of the water. She aims "to spread the message of love through food." Wow! GQ, Eater LA, and Zagat have all awarded her for her talented chef skills and innovative, "sexy" food. We look forward to seeing Arrington in action! She recently wrote her signature recipe for Adult Frosted Flakes for Ebony magazine, so we know this chef also likes to whisk nostalgic flavors into her upscale food.
When I saw chef Jonathon Sawyer's face, I actually squealed. Not to already pick favorites, but . . . this chef/owner of The Greenhouse Tavern has serious cooking chops. I will never forget trying his beef jerky bucatini, quite possibly my fondest pasta memory of all time. I also watched him prep a scallop in real time to form this picturesque scallop crudo. You can expect him to bring comfort and exceptional beauty to his spot-on cuisine. I can't wait to watch him cook.
The executive chef/owner of Adana describes his cuisine as "Japanese comfort food" merging with fine dining. I don't know about you, but I'm prepared to book a flight and make a reservation ASAP. This impressive guy is only 27 years old!
Chef Stephanie Izard is one of the most metaled chefs in America. She has won James Beard awards, has been a Food & Wine Best New Chef, and continues to receive accolades and attention for her world-famous restaurant, Girl & the Goat. Fun fact: I once ate my weight in potato chips with Stephanie Izard. She has the power to make even the lowliest of ingredients look upscale. We even made potato chip ice cream topping together. I love this chef and have no doubt she will tackle any ingredient with ease.
If you haven't heard of chef Michael Gulotta, this New Orleans native started his career at Restaurant August under chef John Besh. He's opened his first restaurant, MOPHO, a Southeast Asian joint that has received lots of press attention. Gulotta himself was a 2016 "Best New Chef" by Food & Wine. Between his knowledge and expertise in Southern, French, Italian, German, and Southeast Asian cuisines, this chef has a widespread repertoire that would make any competing chef shudder!
Chef/partner of Monteverde Restaurant & Pastificio, Sarah Grueneberg has won numerous awards for "best restaurant" from top publications like Food & Wine, Bon Appétit, and Eater. She might win my heart, because she's a badass chef and because her roots are Texan, like mine!
Though he owns a myriad of restaurants across San Antonio (including a barbecue joint, Spanish tapas bar, and food truck), chef Jason Dady is most famous for his upscale Italian Tre Trattoria, the flagship restaurant that showcases his roots. Dady has also won countless awards including Texas Monthly's "Top 50 Barbecue in the World." Say what!? I'm also thrilled to see another Texan in the competition with such versatility.
You probably remember, at the beginning of each episode, the chairman reveals the secret challenge ingredient. The chefs must scramble to come up with dishes that feature this often random ingredient. By the looks of it, we're guessing one ingredient is "wild game." We think we see some goat, cornish game hens, buffalo, and boar meat at that table.
Chefs must rush to the table and pick up the best pieces before their competitors get to them first!
It's always entertaining to hear the chairman chime in about what the competitors are cooking (and of course, the mistakes they make!).
You can just see the look of suspense on Sarah Grueneberg's face.
There's so much passion within the Iron Chef walls.
She even manages to make Alton laugh!
Is Alton giving him some advice or distracting him? We'll have to wait until April 16 to find out!