Roy Yamaguchi plays TV show's 'Asian Chef'

By Wanda Adams
Advertiser Food Editor

Clockwise from left: William Shatner, Alessandro Stratta, Todd English, Jean Francois Meteigner and Roy Yamaguchi. Shatner plays the role of "chairman" in the American version of "Iron Chef." Photo illustration by Stephen Downes • The Honolulu Advertiser

"I am 'Iron Chef Asia' so if UPN picks up the show, I'll be on it and hopefully I'll get challenged sometime," Yamaguchi said.

Mark Steknovak, who has designed kitchens for Yamaguchi's growing Roy's Restaurant empire, designed the kitchen stadium that occupied the entire sports arena at the MGM Grand Hotel.

There, Yamaguchi, outfitted in what he described as a sort of "Power Ranger" outfit — a shiny gold happi coat — is seen alongside Jean Francois Meteigner of La Cachette in Santa Monica, Calif., as the French chef; Alessandro Stratta of Renoir in the Las Vegas Mirage Hotel as the Italian chef; and Todd English of Olives restaurant in Boston as the American chef.