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The Ten Most Recent Comments By marks

From Serious Eats

Iron Cheffing and Judging Are Legit (If Imperfect)

Here in Japan I eat lunch at a restaurant whose owner's son in law appeared as a challenger on the original Japanese Iron Chef. He told me that the participants were given a list of potential ingredients (either 3 or 5, can't remember now). So they did have the opportunity to do a bit of preparation, even though they couldn't be sure what the show's them would be.

He also said that the staff would give the challenger chefs advice if they were running short of time, such as letting them know they could skip the platting and serve the food to plates at the judging table.

marks at 12:00AM on 02/23/08

Responses to Comments by marks

From Serious Eats

Iron Cheffing and Judging Are Legit (If Imperfect)

None of the arguments stating that the outcome is NOT predetermined hold much water, so I have to conclude that the probability IS that the results are 'fixed'. But neither this conclusion, nor my comparison to professional wresting is intended as disparagement, but is simply a way of describing the theatrical nature of the programme as entertainment.

mongoose at 10:02AM on 03/11/08

From Serious Eats

Iron Cheffing and Judging Are Legit (If Imperfect)

...the competing chefs know that the secret ingredient will be chosen from a list of three they have been given beforehand so that they can, yes, rehearse it doesn't take anything away from how insanely difficult it is to produce five dishes in an hour in that kind of pressured environment[emphasis mine]...

Well, of course it does. One of three is much easier than one of tens of thousands.

...it is as legitimate a competition reality show as any other out there.

Talk about damned with faint praise.

Don Luis at 10:57AM on 02/23/08