King of Iron Chef

[Mark Holtz]

Food Network has removed the Friday airings of this show.

However, last Saturday's episode was an unusual show. It was billed as the last challanger episode, where at the end of the episode, Chairman Kaga announces that he is closing Kitchen Stadium (and the show ends save for specials).

On April 5th begins the King Of Iron Chefs tournament in which Iron Chef competes against Iron Chef in a elimination tournament. The winner then goes on to face what Chairman Kaga bills as the "Greatest Chef Of The World".

These are the concluding episodes which have been held back for so long, and resolves the question raised from the Millenium Battle: Why Iron Chef Sakai is called the King of Iron Chefs

[Mark Holtz]

"If my memory... If memory serves me right, I must make a really tough decision. Thinking back, it was 6 years ago (1993) that I started chasing my dream. That dream was to enjoy cuisine that could be called true artistry. Desperate to fulfil my dream, I spent my fortune to build this Kitchen Stadium. Thanks to a lot of support, we saw many fierce battles between my Iron Chefs and top chefs from around the world. I was able to taste a total of 14,113 dishes. The stadium itself has come to influence chefs throughout Japan. Many chefs have started to realize they are also artisans who give birth to cultural trends. And I feel my dream has now become reality. But, at the same time, I feel I must make a decision while things are going well. This is to take on the challenge of the new millennium. I've decided to say farewell to my dear Kitchen Stadium and my Iron Chefs. The decision I made is: on September 24, (1999) I shall close my Kitchen Stadium. I truely hope that this decision will be the beginning of a new era for the Japanese culinary arena. This means I have no time to be downhearted. My last mission is to immortalize the date September 24 in the history of cooking. And I have pushed to make this a reality. The King of Iron Chefs. The mightiest of all will challenge one of the top chefs in the world! Now, my dear fans, get ready to be exposed to my and my Iron Chefs' final mission. A show you will never forget!"
- Chairman Kaga, at the end of Battle Sea Bass-the final regular battle in Kitchen Stadium

King of Iron Chefs begins April 5th on Food Network.