This is an interesting show to write about because it belongs to a unique and mild genre of reality TV cooking shows. It has no plot for us to ride through its twists and turns and little to get excited about. Having said that, The Next Iron Chef does what it does very well. It incorporates a nice balance of playful theatrics, character-driven competition, subtle education, strategy, and of course a lot of incredibly delicious looking food. Given the lack of plot, The Next Iron Chef tends to put forth a consistent product with little qualitative variance. This episode was no exception. Well, it was kind of an exception. It bore all the same bells and whistles of its sibling episodes but it also managed a small surprise.
I enjoyed the episode's challenges - wedding worthy pastry desserts and classed up Vegas buffets - as they put the competitors noticeably out of their comfort zones. Even the domestic novice knows that cooking and baking are altogether different beasts, and buffets invariably remove most of the control over the condition of the food upon consumption. The culinary creations are effectively left in a state of suspended and uncontrolled preparation. The stakes were raised in the buffet challenge when it was revealed that it would be a double elimination. All the chef's struggled to complete their tasks, and the viewer was rewarded with a glimpse of even the giants' food fallibility. Chef Caswell was the first to fall but the three members of the judging panel each had different opinions on who the second elimination should be. In the end, host Alton Brown announced that for lack of judicial consensus all the remaining contestants would be allowed to move on the next round and next episode. Not a bad twist for a cooking reality TV show.
I really like Chefs Forgione and Ming Tsai. Ming Tsai is my man. The guy holds a degree in mechanical engineering from Yale, is a retired professional athlete, a world-renowned chef and restauranteur, and strong bet to be the next Iron Chef. Somehow, with total disregard for life fairness, I find myself rooting for him.
Episode Rating:
5 (Entertaining TV)
Episode's Best Line:
"If you can't get inspired by trying to become the next Iron Chef, then somebody should check your pulse, because - uh, you know - this is it. Its game time." - Chef Forgione
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