ICA: Morimoto vs. Martin
Chef Dena Marino, born and raised in a huge Italian family in New Jersey. She was brought up on a steady diet of pizza, pasta, and sausage. Leaving New Jersey for the Culinary Institute of America, she currently heads the kitchen at Ellina in Aspen, Colorado, where she interprets modern and classic Italian cuisine. Now, she’ll draw knives with the dean of the Iron Chefs, Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto.
With the knowledge she gained cooking alongside her grandmother, Dena left for Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York. She graduated to a job at Caesar’s Palace Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City. Three years later, on a visit to San Francisco, Dena traveled to the Napa Valley’s Tra Vigne to sample the creations of Chef Michael Chiarello. In him she found a culinary soul mate; she finagled a job and soon became the restaurant’s sous chef. After three and a half years with Chiarello, Dena was offered the position of Chef at the Ajax Tavern in Aspen.
Marino’s Menu:
Fig & Ahi Crudo
Fig & Pancetta Stuffed Quail Over Gnocchi
Red Trout with Fig Marmelatta
Fig Stuffed Pork Tenderloin
Fig Panna Cotta
Iron Chef’s Menu:
Fig Hassun (Chili Fig, Nama-Fu, Fig & Beef Tartare, and Fig Martini)
Steamed Bun with Pork & Fig
Fig Carpaccio
Wagyu Fig Wellington with Eel Over Rice
Selection of Fig Desserts (Cappuccino with Fig Creme, Fig Burrito, and Fig Doriyaki)
The judges for Battle: Fig were Andrew Knowlton, Danyelle Freeman and Jeffrey Steingarten.
Check below for the outcome.
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Morimoto Marino
Taste: 24 Taste: 21
Plating: 12 Plating: 10
Originality: 13 Originality: 10
Total: 49 Total: 41
ICA: Flay vs. Ford
Chef Ben Ford, owner of Ford’s Filling Station, comes to Kitchen Stadium to challenge Iron Chef Flay. Will Ford’s finesse win over the judges, or will Iron Chef Flay’s flare burn the competition?
From TV.com:
Battle: Blue Foot Chicken
Chefs: Iron Chef Bobby Flay is challenged by L.A. Chef Ben Ford.
Ben Ford is the Owner of Ford’s Filling Station in Culver City, CA.
Full Recap
Secret Ingredient: Blue Foot Chicken
Iron Chef Bobby Flay’s Dishes
Sour Orange Chicken
Curry Fried Chicken
16 Spice Chicken with Mango Sauce
Chicken Kiev with Lobster Butter
“Thanksgiving” Chicken and Mushroom Stuffing
Challenger Ben Ford’s Dishes
Carpaccio of Chicken with Poached Quail Egg
Seared Chicken Livers on Rosemary Skewers
Chicken Meatballs with Pasta
Braised Chicken and Stuffed Cabbage
Chicken Breast with Kobe Beef Hash
Judges
Jeffrey Steingarten – Food Critic
Cady Huffman – Actress
Andrew Knowlton – Bon Appetit Magazine
Iron Chef
Taste: 22
Plating: 11
Originality: 11
Total: 44
Challenger
Taste: 17
Plating: 8
Originality: 10
Total: 35
Winner: Iron Chef Bobby Flay
ICA: Flay vs. Greenspan
Epic. That is the best word to describe the pending battle between LA’s Eric Greenspan and NYC’s Bobby Flay. This episode has “sweeps period” written all over it. What better way to put to bed season 8, the longest and most adventurous season to date of America’s best TV cooking competition.
Greenspan is a fixture on the US dining scene; a bona fide star. Greenspan was born Jersey, raised in California and forged in the kitchens of the Big Apple. He has spent time working at Bouley, Union Pacific, Essex House and even El Bulli. He has learned under the great chefs of our era like David Bouley, Rocco DiSpirito, Alain Ducasse and Ferran Adria.
Chef Eric’s own star burst onto the scene at Patina in Los Angeles. At Patina, Greenspan was charged with pampering guests with seasonal tasting menus, gourmet cheeses, caviar service, and an award-winning wine list. From there Greenspan took over the kitchen of Meson G which was like a shooting star having rocketed to the A list and then burning out all in a brief period of time.
Today Eric Greenspan is the chef/owner of the highly popular The Foundry on Melrose Place which the chef describes as “fine dining restaurant for the every day man.” The Foundry is famous for making the best burger in LA and the best grilled cheese sandwich in the known universe. The trip to Kitchen Stadium is one that Greenspan has been on for quite a while. He came up just short of his goal in last year’s Next Iron Chef competition which was won by Jose Garces but now his time has come.
Based on Chef Greenspan’s tasting menu for the Iron Chef viewing party at Foundry Sunday night I’m going to go out on a limb and say the secret ingredient is goose. Of course it could be a phony. If so then I guess it is my goose that has been cooked.
The judges for Battle: Goose were Cady Huffman, Donatella Arpaia and Andrew Knowlton.
If you haven’t already be sure to check out my exclusive interview with Iron Chef Bobby Flay (HERE).
Click HERE for the outcome.
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