by Moe Zilla

Created on: January 29, 2008

"Iron Chef" premiered in Japan in 1993 - but it soon became an international hit! Each week two master chefs met in the show's flashy "cooking arena," challenged to produce the best meal with a surprise "mystery ingredient." Eel, chestnuts, corn, peaches - each week the simple foods receive lavish attention from the chefs, ultimately turning into an astounding array of dishes.

It's a simple idea that became a lot of fun to watch, with enthusiastic introductions by its over-the-top host Takeshi Kaga about the importance of the ingredient. There's also a worried play-by-play from two announcers about the chefs scrambling to create their meals. Close-up footage flashes by of the foods being prepared...and the amazed onlookers. Both meals are ultimately tasted by a panel of three judges - but it's obvious that both chefs have created fabulously creative dishes.

When the was re-broadcast with subtitles in America, it became a surprise hit. Though the Japanese version ended in the year 2000, it inspired two American TV specials hosted by William Shatner, as well as Food Network's "Iron Chef America." But leaving the air simply made the show into a kind of legend. I've been to parties where the guests excitedly remembered their favorite episodes of "Iron Chef." In one the secret ingredient was chestnuts, and one chef used them to make ice cream. ("They're always making ice cream!" my friend remembered.) Once a chef had even made ice cream out of fish eggs. But we were amazed that we'd received this rare perspective on food - through the bizarre premise of a competitive cooking contest.

Much of the fun of the show comes from Takeshi Kaga, its host. It's no accident; Kaga had been a professional performer for years. (He once played Jesus in a Japanese productions of the musical "Jesus Christ, Superstar," and also performed as Tony in "West Side Story.") In the shows first 23 episodes, he presided over longer contests - a full 90 minutes - where two chefs competed to earn their final match-up against a top-ranked "Iron Chef". Eventually the producers switched to a more exciting format: having the chefs compete with one sumptuous multi-course meal.

And it was Kaga that gave the show its engaging context. He took all the hokey drama seriously and gave the proceedings a most enthusiastic master of ceremonies. And along the way - he created a cult classic.

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