Challenger Michael Chiarello seeks redemption in his face off against Iron Chef Geoffrey Zakarian in this grudge match. Chef Chiarello lost to Iron Chef Zakarian in The Next Iron Chef: All-Stars. Judges are Neil Patrick Harris, Donatella Arpaia and David Burtka.

Michael Chiarello is an award-winning chef and owner of critically acclaimed Bottega restaurant in the Napa Valley. He made his mark by combining his Southern Italian roots with the distinctive hallmarks of Napa Valley living. From his earliest childhood experiences – created around his mother’s California kitchen with his extended Italian family of butchers, cheese makers and ranchers – Michael dreamed of becoming a chef one day. Decades later, he has realized his dream – and much more.

Michael has been a national television host of his own shows for more than a decade on PBS, Food Network and Cooking Channel, and he has appeared on the highest-rated food competition shows on television, as well. His Emmy Award®-winning show, Easy Entertaining with Michael Chiarello, began in 2003 and still airs daily. In 2009 he took second place as a finalist on Bravo’s inaugural Top Chef Masters, and he has appeared as a judge on Top Chef and Top Chef Masters. In the fall of 2011, he will join another highly rated cooking show, The Next Iron Chef, also on Food Network. A popular celebrity guest chef, Michael is a regular contributor to NBC’s The Today Show, CBS’ The Early Show, Martha Stewart Living Radio, Regis & Kelly and the San Francisco Chronicle’s “Inside Scoop Voices” column. Michael lives among his Napa Valley vineyards with his wife and children.

This was a grudge match as Chef Chiarello was one of nine wannabe Iron Chefs taken down by Zakarian in last year’s Next Iron Chef competition.  This time Chiarello and Zakarian tangle over a very difficult secret ingredient – scotch.  The Chairman’s culinary curveball (this new element is STOOPID) was Scotch Bonnet chilies.

The outcome: