Iron Chef

A cult Japanese television show wherein a trio of world-renowed chefs (a quartet later in the show), each a master a particular culinary style of cooking, would do "battle" against challenger chefs from around the world to see who could create the most innovative and delectable dishes from a randomly chosen theme ingredient. The show ended its six-year run in late 1999, but is still aired in syndication on the Food Network. Also, special once-a-year episodes are still being produced. The Morimoto/Bobby Flay battle in New York City is a prime example.