Roy Yamaguchi gets role on 'Iron Chef USA'

By Joan Namkoong
Advertiser Food Editor

Slicing, dicing and sauteeing could bring television stardom to Hawaii's superstar chef Roy Yamaguchi as he plays the role of the Asian chef in a new television program, "Iron Chef USA: Showdown in Las Vegas."

An American version of the popular "Iron Chef" cooking show from Fuji Television in Japan, which airs on the Food Network, the new show will feature four American chefs battling over the stove against challengers in different cuisines. The first program will air Aug. 31 at 9:30 p.m. on UPN, whose Hawai'i affiliate is KFVE-Channel 5.

"It's unbelievable," Yamaguchi repeated several times on the phone from the set at the MGM Grand Hotel yesterday.

Mark Steknovak, who has designed the last six kitchens for Roy's restaurants, designed the kitchen stadium that occupies the entire MGM sports arena.

Yamaguchi, chef creator of Roy's restaurants worldwide, will be joined by Jean Francois Meteigner of La Cachette in Santa Monica, Calif., as the French chef; Allesandro Stratta of Renoir in the Las Vegas Mirage Hotel as the Italian chef; and Todd English of Olives restaurant in Boston, as well as chefs from other Mediterranean restaurants, competing as the American chef.

The first show to air in August was taped Wednesday but Yamaguchi could not reveal the secret ingredient, which Iron Chef participated or who was the challenger.

"I'm wearing this shiny gold thing like a happi coat," he said, laughing. "I look like a Power Ranger."

William Shatner, Captain Kirk in the "Star Trek" series, will serve as "Chairman," paralleling Chairman Kaga in the Japanese version.

A challenger will compete in the "kitchen stadium" against one of the four Iron Chefs using a secret ingredient revealed at the start of the show. Exotic American ingredients will be featured. A play by play of the cooking action and a culinary commentator will offer insights into each chef's cooking style and personality. A panel of celebrity judges will taste and critique the food and determine the winner.