The Next Iron Chef Season 2

Oh Man, I lovvvvve 'Iron Chef'. Truly, I can't get enough of it. And I adored the first 'Next Iron Chef' competition, so of course I am SERIOUSLY pumped for Season 2 to premiere on October 4th.
So what can we expect for this season?
Well, Season 1 was comprised of 8 challenges;
1. Speed, 2. Artistry, 3. Simplicity, 4. Innovation, 5. Resourcefulness, 6. Creativity Under Pressure, 7. Lead & Inspire, and finally 8. Attain Greatness. I expect the format will remain the same; several elimination challenges and 1 final challenge at Kitchen Stadium to determine the NEXT IRON CHEF.

When Season 1 aired back in 2007, contestants included Traci Des Jardin, Jill Davie, Marou Ouattara, Gavin Kaysen, Aarón Sanchez, Chris Consentino, John Besh, and the winner Michael Symon. With the exceptions of Chef Davie and Chef Kaysen, all contestants had at one time competed on "Iron Chef America". Chefs Aarón Sanchez & Chris Consentino went on to get their own show on Food Network; "Chefs vs City". John Besh recently appeared on "Top Chef Masters". And Since winning, Iron Chef Symon has competed 11 times and also temporarily hosted "Dinner: Impossible".
Besh definitely was my choice for winner, of the 8 contestants, he was the only one to previously win in Kitchen Stadium during battle Andouille in Season 3 against Iron Chef Mario Batali. Symon, although he is a great chef and has character, is a little uninteresting for me to watch.

ANYHOW, this season will feature 10 NEW contestants...

Roberto Trevino, Executive Chef and Owner of 'Budatai'. From San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Lost to Iron Chef Batali in Season 1 Battle Catfish.
This episode re-aired 3 weeks ago, expect to see it again closer to the premiere of the show.



Jose Garces, Executive Chef and Owner of 'Amada', 'Tinto', 'Distrito', and 'Chifa. From Philadelphia, PA.
Defeated Iron Chef Flay in Season 6 Battle Melon/ Brain Freeze.
This episode re-aired last night and will be shown again Sept 10th at 8pm, 11th at 3am, and 12th at 5pm.



Amanda Freitag, Exective Chef of 'The Harrison'. From New York, NY.
Lost to Iron Chef Flay in Season 7 Battle King Crab.
This episode re-aired last week, you can probably still catch it playing at odd hours.




Nate Appleman, Chef and Butcher. From New York, NY.
Lost to Iron Chef Symon in Season 7 Battle Suckling Pig.
This episode is scheduled to re-air Sept. 10 and 11.




Brad Farmerie, Executive Chef at 'Double Crown', 'Madam Geneva', 'PUBLIC', and 'The Monday Room'. From New York, NY.
Defeated Iron Chef Cora in Season 7 Battle Maple Syrup.
This episode re-aired 3 weeks ago, expect to see it again closer to the show's premiere.



Jehangir Mehta, Executive Chef and Owner of 'Graffiti'. From New York, NY.
Lost to Iron Chef Morimoto in Season 7 Battle Coconut.
This episode aired 2 weeks ago and has been on repeatedly, you can probably catch it randomly this week.



Dominique Crenn, Chef De Cuisine of 'Luce' at 'InterContinental San Francisco'. From San Francisco, CA.





Eric Greenspan, Executive Chef and Owner of 'The Foundry on Melrose'. From Los Angeles, CA.





Holly Smith, Chef and Owner of 'Cafe Juanita' and 'Poco Carreto Gelato'. From Kirkland, WA.





Seamus Mullen, Executive Chef and Partner of 'Boqueria Flatiron' and 'Boqueria Soho'. From New York, NY.






Season 1 was hosted by Food Network's Alton Brown and the Iron Chef Chairman Mark Dacascos, who will return as hosts this season. Of the 3 judges from last season, only one will return; Donatella Arpaia. Replacing Michael Ruhlman and Andrew Knowlton will be Anya Fernald and the Iron Chef judge everyone loves to hate; Jeffrey Steingarten.

So there is your intro to "The Next Iron Chef". I absolutely can't wait. Catch the Premiere OCTOBER 4TH on Food Network, and if you need your fix now... catch "Iron Chef America" on Food Network and "Iron Chef Japan" on Fine Living Network :)