Test your design IQ
MANILA, Philippines – Who is the famous Japanese chef known for his unique take on Japanese fusion cuisine as well as for the expression “Action!” on the program Iron Chef?
He was born on May 25, 1955 in Hiroshima, Japan, and received practical training in sushi and traditional kaiseki cuisine in Hiroshima. After opening a restaurant in 1980, he was influenced by western cooking styles and decided to travel around the US five years later.
His travels further influenced his fusion-style cuisine, and he worked in prestigious restaurants in the area like the Sony Club, where he was executive chef, and the exclusive Japanese restaurant Nobu, where he was head chef.
While working in Nobu, he got his start on the Iron Chef television show. After the 1999 run of the show ended, he opened his eponymous restaurant in Philadelphia in 2001, which he also now has in the Meat Packing District of New York City, as well as a restaurant in Mumbai, India called Wasabi.
He has said that “going to a restaurant is like going to the theater.” He is not only a master performer in his restaurants, but since 1998 he has also combined his passion for cuisine, competition, and performance as the Japanese Iron Chef in the wildly popular competition Iron Chef and Iron Chef America.
Over the years, he has become known as the Iron Chef whose dishes seem to come out of left field. A famous sample is the Bell Pepper Sushi in a sushi battle in 1999. He usually has a bottle of Coca Cola to drink while cooking on the show and on one occasion, he combined this with natto to fashion a dessert dish.
His favorite expression on the program is “Action!”
His official win/loss/tie record on Iron Chef is 16-7-1. In his first battle with Bobby Flay, he famously declared that “Flay is not a chef” on account that Flay stood upon his chopping board after completing his dishes. He has since apologized for his actions.
He has also developed a line of specialty beers with Roque Ales of Newport, Oregon.
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Last week’s question: Identify the sculptor whose works appeared in last week’s page.
Answer: Impy Pilapil
Winner: Evamarie Mangaliman of Sta. Mesa, Manila.
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