Many people may be familiar with the Food Network’s television show, Iron Chef America. This version is a remake of a Japanese version that debuted in 1993. For the American version, most of the Iron Chefs are well-known celebrity chefs such as Mario Batali and Bobby Flay, among others. Is Gordon Ramsay an Iron Chef?
Gordon Ramsay is one of the top chefs in the world, but he is not considered an Iron Chef. Many would love to see him as an Iron Chef and there has been much talk about him and Bobby Flay doing an Iron Chef-style head to head.
I’m not sure why Gordon Ramsay isn’t an Iron Chef, I believe that he can totally compete with the talent on the show. My speculation is that it has to do with contracts and networks. All of his shows are on Fox Television, and Iron Chef airs on The Food Network. There are people who think that his style of being a chef wouldn’t work in the Kitchen Stadium, but I don’t believe that it’s all about entertainment at the end of the day, and Ramsay is entertaining.
The Original Iron Chef
The original Japanese version of Iron Chef aired in Japan beginning in 1993 but didn’t gain a huge cult following until it was aired in North America on the Food Network, dubbed in English.
The original Japanese format had three Iron Chefs, a French Chef, a Chinese Chef, and a Japanese Chef. In the fifth season of the show, an Italian Chef was added as the premise was that Chairman wanted to experience food from all around the world.
The show ended in 1999 and tried to come back with specials and new seasons after seeing the popularity of it in North America, but it had no luck after the initial run. Some people said there wasn’t an audience for it and others blamed the timeslot it was given.
Iron Chef America
A short-lived, two episode, series titled Iron Chef USA aired on UPN in 2001 but failed spectacularly. In 2005 The Food Network debuted Iron Chef America, to much better ratings, and became a regular staple for the network.
The premise of the American version is that the nephew of the original Japanese version came to the United States to start his own Kitchen Stadium. There have been some adaptations over the years, but for the most part, it stays true to the original and keeps the focus on the food.
America’s Iron Chefs
When Iron Chef America debuted it was with a familiar face, as Masaharu Morimoto, the Japanese Chef from the Japanese version, was one of the Iron Chefs.
Other chefs who have appeared as Iron Chefs on the show include:
- Mario Batali
- Cat Cora
- Bobby Flay
- Marc Forgione
- Jose Garces
- Alex Guarnaschelli
- Stephanie Izard
- Wolfgang Puck
- Michael Symon
- Geoffrey Zakarian
While the series officially ended in 2018 there have been various specials throughout the years as well, including Iron Chef Battle, Iron Chef Gauntlet, and Iron Chef Showdown.
Gordon Ramsay vs. Bobby Flay
For years there has been a feud between Bobby Flay and Gordon Ramsay. Ramsay has since been challenging Flay to a cook-off but the one-time Flay agreed to it, he ended up backing out the next day.
The idea is that they do a head to head in Vegas, and set it up as a pay-per-view, like a boxing or UFC match, with the money going to charity. There are still no plans set in concrete for the match to take place.
Title Not Needed
Gordon Ramsay doesn’t need to have the moniker Iron Chef to propel him into the culinary world. He’s done that on his own, and has several television shows, books, and restaurants to speak to that.
I’m pretty sure becoming an Iron Chef is not on his bucket list of things to accomplish in his life, so he’ll be just fine. However, if he does end up going against Bobby Flay, and we hope he does at some point, then we think he should automatically be given the title when he wins.