The BEST episodes of Iron Chef season 5
Every episode of Iron Chef season 5, ranked from best to worst by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The best episodes of Iron Chef season 5!
Iron Chef is an innovative cooking competition from Japan. Originally produced by Fuji TV, Iron Chef combined the excitement of a one on one sports competition with gourmet cooking. The title Iron Chefcomes from the original Japanese title, Ironmen of Cooking. This innovative game show was always popular in its native Japan, but it found international success when the Food Network bought the series and began airing English dubbed episodes. It became a cult classic as viewers were treated to exotic ingredients and innovative cooking techniques. No expense was spared. Chefs seemed to have almost limitless supplies of the most exotic and expensive gourmet ingredients. The competition is hosted by Chairman Kaga, an over-the-top master of ceremonies. He introduced a "secret ingredient" that the challenger and the chosen Iron Chef had to incorporate into every dish. Originally, the program was 30 minutes long, but it was soon expanded to an hour format. Each chef presented his/her dishes to a panel of 3-4 judges who rated the dishes to crown a winner. All of the competitions occurred in a specially designed "kitchen stadium". The New York Times once described Iron Chef as "kamikaze cooking". Iron Chefs and their competitors became celebrities in their own right. Storylines developed between groups determined to defeat the Iron Chefs. The show was so successful in English speaking countries that several spin-offs, specials, and updated versions were produced.
#1 - Nakamura vs Mera Takashi (Seaweed)
Season 5 - Episode 11 - Aired 3/21/1997
#2 - Kobe vs Stephan Tabacchi (Cabbage)
Season 5 - Episode 28 - Aired 7/25/1997
This is the second battle in Kitchen Stadium for the new Iron Chef Italian, Masahiko Kobe. He lost his first time in action, and the Chairman wants to see if he has what it takes to win as an Iron Chef. The challenger has cooked for many famous celebrities. He began cooking at age 13. He headed the kitchen at a hotel restaurant in Italy before leaving to head a restaurant in Japan. He arrived in Japan just two months before this battle. Judges: Tamio Kageyama, Hitomi Takahashi (Actress), Sunplaza Nakano (Musician), Asako Kishi (Critic)
#3 - Chen vs Matsuno Yoshikazu (Mantis Shrimp - Shako)
Season 5 - Episode 27 - Aired 7/18/1997
The challenger is a sushi chef from Yokohama who is a favorite of famous athletes and entertainers. He entered the sushi world at age the age of 16. Chairman Kaga calls him a sushi artisan. Judges: Shinichiro Kurimoto, Kayoko Kishimoto, Ichiro Zaitsu, Asako Kishi
#4 - Nakamura vs Kashima Masami (Prawn)
Season 5 - Episode 25 - Aired 7/4/1997
The challenger trained in France, but he now specializes in Vietnamese cooking. Judges: Tamio Kageyama, Keiko Saito, Hideki Takahasi, Asako Kishi
#5 - 1997 World Cup
Season 5 - Episode 38 - Aired 10/10/1997
1997 "World Cup" tournament in Arashiyama. Liu Xikun vs. Nakamura (Beef) and Alain Passard vs. Patrick Clark (Homard Lobster). The winners face each other in a Foie Gras Battle.
#6 - Sakai vs Ishikawa Toshiyuki (Sea Urchin)
Season 5 - Episode 26 - Aired 7/11/1997
The challenger started training to be a chef at the age of 15. He earns praise from both Iron Chef Chen and Dr. Yukio Hattori. The Chairman calls him the future of Chinese cooking in Japan. Judges: Takenori Emoto, Megumi Oishi, Yasosuke Bando, Asako Kishi
#7 - Sakai vs Toyoshima Seiji (Milk)
Season 5 - Episode 29 - Aired 8/1/1997
The challenger is the fourth sent by Club Mistral to take on Iron Chef Sakai. The chef operates a restaurant in Ginza. I think the ladies of Ginza really like his dishes. It has been three years since Club Mistral sent their first challenger to Kitchen Stadium. We will have the theme ingredient again that was used by the chairman Miyamoto. Milk is the theme and the Chairman arranges for two cows to be brought into Kitchen Stadium so the chefs can have the freshest possible theme ingredient. Judges: Takenori Emoto, Naomi Kawashima, Takao Horiuchi, Asako Kishi
#8 - Nakamura Chin vs Sakai Kobe (Watermelon)
Season 5 - Episode 30 - Aired 8/8/1997
It is summertime, and Chairman Kaga wants to celebrate with a summer festival. The Iron Chefs are divided into two teams: Asia Team (Chen and Nakamura) and Europe Team (Sakai and Kobe). Kaga asks, What theme do I choose for a dream tag match? That summer fruit. Watermelon. Judges: Shinichiro Kurimoto, Keiko Saito, Tatuo Meidaka, Asako Kishi
#9 - Chen vs Souseiko Kawaguchi (Eggplant)
Season 5 - Episode 31 - Aired 8/15/1997
It is time for the Obon Festival in Japan. (It traditionally takes place in mid-August) The challenger is a buddhist monk who prepares vegetarian meals. She is the younger sister of the challenger from Season 2, Sakai vs. Sotetsu Fujii in the Yam Battle Judges: Tenmei Kanoh, Harumi Inoue, Kotaro Satomi, Asako Kishi
#10 - Sakai vs Androsoni Pietro (Melon)
Season 5 - Episode 32 - Aired 8/22/1997
#11 - Nakamura vs Kojima Koten (Potato)
Season 5 - Episode 33 - Aired 8/29/1997
The challenger is the number one French chef on Kyushu. He opened his own restaurant at the age of 26. Judges: Tenmei Kanoh, Senri Yamabuki, Tetsuya Bessho, Yoshiko Ishii
#12 - Nakamura vs Kojima Koten (Flatfish) Overtime
Season 5 - Episode 34 - Aired 9/5/1997
The challenger is the number one French chef on Kyushu. He opened his own restaurant at the age of 26. The previous battle between these two chefs was declared a no contest by The Chairman. Judges: Tenmei Kanoh, Hiroko Moriguchi, Gitan Ootsuru, Yoshiko Ishii
#13 - Sakai vs Nakajima Toshiyuki (Cow's Cheek)
Season 5 - Episode 35 - Aired 9/12/1997
The challenger has declined many invitations from Chairman Kaga to do battle in Kitchen Stadium. He heads a French restaurant in Aoyama, Tokyo. He trained in top restaurants in France. It’s a French on French battle as Toshiyuki Nakajima takes on Iron Chef Sakai in Battle Beef Cheek. To add to the tension, apparently Sakai’s restaurant is not far from the challenger’s.
#14 - Chen vs Igarashi Miyuki (Cucumber)
Season 5 - Episode 36 - Aired 9/26/1997
This challenger is the youngest ever to enter Kitchen Stadium. At the young age of 22, she already heads the kitchen of a bustling Chinese restaurant in Tokyo. She was only 7 when she began helping her father in the kitchen that she eventually took over. She feels that a chef’s job is more important than that of a doctor. Once again, Chen is called upon to take on a female challenger.
#15 - Kobe vs Imai Fujio (Matsutake)
Season 5 - Episode 37 - Aired 10/3/1997
The challenger’s restaurant is often visited by Crown Prince Akihito, Princess Masako and Princess Kiko. He started his culinary training at the age of 15. He became a head chef at 24. The Chairman spent 1 million yen on the theme ingredient for these young chefs. (That’s a little over $12,000 now, about $8,200 back then.)
#16 - Chen vs Nagasaka Matsuo (Spareribs)
Season 5 - Episode 39 - Aired 10/17/1997
Judges: Shinichiro Kurimoto, Yoshizumi Ishihara, Keiko Saito, Asako Kishi
#17 - Sakai vs Goto Masashi (Prawn)
Season 5 - Episode 40 - Aired 10/24/1997
#18 - Kobe vs Seki Yuji (Chestnut)
Season 5 - Episode 41 - Aired 10/31/1997
Iron Chef Kobe is the Prince of Pasta. His challenger tonight is the Prince of Chinese cuisine. Judges: Tenmei Kanoh, Kazuko Kato, Koki Mitani, Chieko Honma
#19 - Nakamura vs Azuma Keiji (Lamb)
Season 5 - Episode 42 - Aired 11/14/1997
#20 - Chen vs Matsushima Toru (Crab)
Season 5 - Episode 43 - Aired 11/21/1997
#21 - Kobe vs Takahashi Kazunari (Milt)
Season 5 - Episode 44 - Aired 11/28/1997
#22 - Kobe vs Takahashi Kazunari (Shrimp) Over Time
Season 5 - Episode 45 - Aired 12/5/1997
#23 - Nakamura vs Moris Guilett (Scallop)
Season 5 - Episode 46 - Aired 12/12/1997
#24 - Kobe vs Takagi Yasumasa (Strawberry)
Season 5 - Episode 47 - Aired 12/19/1997