Hawai'i 'iron' chefs compete
By Will Hoover
Advertiser Staff Writer
Six of Hawai'i's top chefs squared off yesterday at Restaurant Row for the taping of "Paradise Chef Duel," a three-part pilot project that organizers hope will soon become a regular TV show.
Cory Lum • The Honolulu Advertiser
"The food will fly!" promised Ginger Peterson of PCF Virtual, whose company designed the marketing campaign and helped supervise the taping at the New Paradise Chef Duel Kitchen Theater, across from Ruth's Chris Steak House.
Hawai'i's celebrity chefs square off: Peter Merriman, far left, of Merriman's on the Big Island; Pierre Padovani with his brother, chef Philippe Padovani, far right, of Padovani's Restaurant and Wine Bar, at Restaurant Row.
"You're going to see some excitement here today."
As in "Iron Chef," local chefs competed for best dishes created by using a secret ingredient selected, in this case, by chef Alan Wong.
Some 200 seated spectators and dozens more standing-room-only onlookers crowded around the kitchen to watch the cooking commotion.
"What we just want to do is add a little more excitement to local television cooking shows," producer Frank Clark said. "We've got a competitive show that's educational as well, and at the same time it promotes our local products."
The programs, which Clark said would be broadcast Aug. 17 on KGMB-TV, are hosted by David Rosengarten, of the Food Network, and co-hosted by Alice Inoue, local and international personality.
The featured chefs are D.K. Kodama of Sansei Seafood Restaurant and Sushi Bar; Russell Siu of 3660 on the Rise; Peter Merriman of Merriman's on the Big Island; Philippe Padovani of Padovani's Restaurant and Wine Bar; Randal Ishizu of J.W.
Marriott Ihilani Resort & Spa, and Goran Streng of Hawai'i Prince Hotel and Golf Club.
