'Next Iron Chef' recap: 'You were simply outcooked'

 
When I first wrote about the competitors for this season of "The Next Iron Chef" I expressed shock that celebuchef Ming Tsai would put it all on the line in a bid to join the culinary elite in Kitchen Stadium. And several of you took me to task, saying I was being duped. You said the show was a sham, the outcome inevitable: Food Network would anoint Tsai as the next Iron Chef, and the show would just be a, well, just a show. There was no way, you said, that Ming the Merciless would lose.

What do you say now?

I certainly would have wagered that Tsai would be among the final two standing. But it's a good thing I'm not a betting woman. 'Cause Tsai was eliminated this week along with chef Celina Tio. That leaves a Marco-versus-Marc finale, with chefs Marco Canora and Marc Forgione battling it out.

Could anyone have predicted this pairing heading into the season?

But week after week, both chefs accepted the judges' notes on their already formidable cooking skills and scrambled to improve. They both seemed to have a knack for that artful balance that any Iron Chef must achieve: They transform ingredients in new and exciting ways, while still elevating the "secret" ingredient to hero status -- and never allowing their creativity to overshadow it.

This week's challenge was all about seduction. First up, the final four cheftestants had to come up with a signature cocktail and a little bite to go with. Canora won, in part, by spanking the mint. This being Vegas, the final four "gambled" on their key ingredients for the next round. Forgione, that lucky guy, got lobster. Hard to beat that in the seduction department. Canora had wagyu beef (which he was able to swipe from Tsai, due to his earlier win) while Tio had Hawaiian moi fish, and Tsai was left with Mangalitsa pork. "I think I actually hit the jackpot," Tsai said of the switcheroo. That may be so, but Tsai served up a lardo pork dish that ended up being too fatty and off-putting for at least two of the judges.

"Chef Tsai," host Alton Brown said, "You were simply outcooked -- and not by much. But by enough, and I'm sorry, but you won't be the next Iron Chef." OUCH!

Were you surprised by Tsai's elimination? And who do you think will win? Canora or Forgione?

And memo to chef Tio: It was a pleasure watching your personality blossom. Soulless, you are not.

--Rene Lynch
twitter.com/renelynch

Photo: Food Network

Comments

[mollys]

Was very sad Ming got eliminated, but not surprised as they have been giving him lots of negative feedback in between his various wins and high points. Lots of that is so 80's and unimaginative with his plating, etc. The bottom line for me is I wonder why Ming was not ALREADY an Iron Chef as he has beat Bobby Flay on the show before. Well, to be honest, it certainly helped bring Ming back into our viewing screens for sure and I think he is awesome. Congrats Ming for getting so far and you should have won.

[Donald]

They've shown that this format is not effective. I haven't seen Chef Garces win a single battle, so it's possible that the way they choose the next Iron Chef doesn't work.

Maybe, they should change the format of the show so the contestants can each compete against current Iron Chefs and base the outcome on total points over the series. It would show the quality and consistency required to be an Iron Chef.

[Ava]

I am so glad to read everyone's comments about Chef Tsai. I have never seen this show until this season and Chef Tsai is why this became my favorite show. I was so excited to see him win! I have no interest in the 2 that are left or Iron Chef for that matter now. I agree with all the Tsai fans that posted.

[Becs]

Vote for Ming Tsai to be fan favorite! http://www.foodnetwork.com/the-next-iron-chef-fan-vote/package/index.html

[Maggie Carr]

I watched chef Tsai battle in kitchen stadium and he lost. That was proof that he cannot handle the "heat" in the kitchen. I like Chef Canora and actually told my husband when the first show of the season was over that I picked him as the winner. I am sorry to see Tsai go, but, just because you know you are good is no guarantee you will win. Every chef has a bad day.

[Ava]

Maggie, he went up against Bobby Flay and won.

[KL]

I have enjoyed the show until last this past Sunday. I am disappointed at the Judges, especially Donnetella!!! Snooty and arrogant. I think FN is going to loose a lot of viewer because of this. I WILL NOT watch the final show and feel sick of it just think about it! Go Chef Tsai! I will follow you whatever TV show you choose to appare on!!

[wei yao]

Meggie, do your reseach before you open your mouth, chef Tsai won both battles in stadium by beating Fly and Batali, got it?

[Emily]

shocking, shocking-- two white, male, heterosexual chefs from new york city are the finalists.

way to support the hegemony, food network!

[bach]

What a shame. The two personalities that truly do not lend themselves to t.v. are left standing. Certainly not a draw for me to watch the final show, or Iron Chef in the future.

[giusy cali]

they're italian americans, which makes them ethnic minorities (and men of southern italian origin - colonized, victimized, beat-up old southern italy!); so they are NOT white males. they already eliminated the white males from the competition. learn a little history before you spew a moronic comment, but let me guess, you an white anglo saxon protestant, right?!

[Tina]

I am Italian (Southern Italian btw) and I know I'm white. I'm not sure what Canora and Forgione would clasify themselves as then (Hispanic? Pacific Islander?) That said, I didn't want either one as a finalist.

[OopsyDaisy]

I had been following this show faithfully because of Chef Tsai. Now, I don't really care who becomes the Next Iron Chef. Personally, I believe FN is aiming for an Italian Chef to replace Batali, but the decision has nothing to do with the race.

As for someone mentioning Italian Americans being ethnic minority, give me a BREAK! White is a race of European ancestry. Irish people were oppressed and invaded historically, does that make them minority?

[uponthoughts]

I feel that FN has a grudge against Tsai because he left their network to do a show on Public Television.

I love so much that he put himself out there. He's not afraid.

If Tsai was an Iron Chef, I would definitely watch that show. Now, forget it.

[Chef Lynne Pelletier]

Wow....you folks have hit it right on the head. I only watched NIC to see Ming as he has been one of my favorites for years. Cooking ain't easy, any Chef worth their salt will tell you that, but when it comes to a competition it's a million times harder. I competed a couple of years for our local United Way fundraiser and let me tell you 1 hour is no time at all. These folks that compete on TV are unbelievable. Maybe they get used to the stress but I know I never would. Ming was ripped off as far as I'm concerned. Maybe you need to be an arrogant ass to be an IC so Canora will fit right in. I'm sure they'll get the guy they want to be NIC.....I won't watch anymore. I watch the Cooking Channel (same people) and the old re-runs of the original Iron Chef - now those are IRON CHEFS!! I haven't watched since Bobby Flay jumped up on the cutting board....what a jerk!! I think the catch phrase for Cooking Channel is kinda lame "Stay Hungry" it should be "If you can stand the heat - get in the kitchen and cook!" Happy T-Day all!

[teresa]

I think that the current Iron chef show was just that a false misleading show. Chef Ming Tsai was tossed in there with or without his willingness to hype up the show and then lose! i personally having watched most of the cooking shows on Foodnetwork willl not watch another Iron chef show!

[Liza Brown]

I agree with many of the comments - Can you imagine - a close up of the new Iron Chef tasting tasty new dish - and suddenly, out of the blue, he looks up and begins running around and shouting 'Where's the parchment paper?"
No I can't believe that will happen. But I never thought those would be the final 2!
Now I figure that Flay wanted out or even Marimoto - they have been doing this awhile -
Instead of a chef being picked for the cultural arena that they cook within, perhaps they are looking for a young gun and shootouts in the Iron Kitchen.

[Rosa Campay]

I just want to see a future series that could be called "Ming's Revenge" or "The Wrath of Tsai". That would be a classy way for him to get back at a few people.
Besides, why would Ming Tsai want to be an "Iron" Cheff if he's already SOLID GOLD? He should just get on another network, maybe Hallmark would be please to have him on.

[beetlejuice]

I am continually stunned by those who found Ming Tsai arrogant? Not sure why they thought that unless they were into stereotypes and he is a very self-confident, but humble guy. Marco drove me up the wall with his arrogance, but he is a good chef as is Tsai...I liked Forgione best after Ming Tsai, so with it being between Marco and Forgione...clearly Forgione is my favorite. AS for Donatella...she's Italian...duh! and the finalists are Italian...did I miss something:)) don't think so.

[tc]

scam of a show. seriously bias against tsai throughout the show. it is pretty obvious they want kanora to be the next iron chef. what a joke.