When Katsuya Fukushima enters Kitchen Stadium he will be on familiar ground.  Fukushima has been here before. . . and won.  In April 2007, the incredible Jose Andres took on Iron Chef Bobby Flay in Battle: Goat and Fukushima was there acting as sous chef for Andres.

Fukushima will not be alone as he is bringing fellow Andres disciple Ruben Garcia of Washington DC’s MiniBar with him.  Fukushima himself is still part of the Andres empire as he heads up the kitchen at Cafe Atlantico, also in DC.  Both restaurants are part of Andres’ Think Food Group which is made up of eight eateries and José Andrés’ Catering with Ridgewells.

Fukushima attended the L’Academie de Cuisine in Gaithersburg, Maryland.  Upon graduation in 1996 he took a job working the line at Vidalia under Jeffrey Buben.  After Vidalia he then worked at Cashion’s Eat Place, The National Press Club and Jaleo. . . all at the same time!  Jaleo is Andres’ flagship restaurant, a tapas bar in Bethesda, MD and it wasn’t long before the young chef dedicated himself to just the one job.

As part of his mentorship of Fukushima, Andres sent him to work and learn at Verbena in New York and an inspiring season at el Bulli under Ferran Adria, Fukushima was then named the Chef de Cusine position at Café Atlántico and Minibar.

Waiting for Chef Fukushima is the newest Iron Chef, Jose Garces.  Garces, who had been rumored to be leaving Iron Chef: America is in fact back and looking to continue his undefeated streak.

The judges for Mahi Mahi were Susan Ungaro, Anthony Anderson and Michelle Bernstein.

Click HERE for the outcome.