Top Hawai'i chefs to duel in television series

By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Writer

A Hawai'i-based version of the Food Network's popular "Iron Chef" series will tape three episodes Saturday.

The local series, called "Paradise Chef Duel," will air starting Aug. 17 on KGMB, Channel 9, the CBS affiliate.

David Rosengarten, co-anchor of "In Food Today" as well as host and chef of "Taste," will appear on all segments, with local co-host Alice Inoue.

The series will assemble award-winning celebrity kitchen wizards, competing to create the best dishes in a specified time using a "secret" ingredient. A viewing audience will be part of the tapings, originating from a new Paradise Chef Duel Kitchen Theater at Restaurant Row.

The first show pits D.K. Kodama of Sansei Seafood Restaurant & Sushi Bar against Russell Siu of 3660 on the Rise and Kaka'ako Kitchen.

Peter Merriman of Merriman's on the Big Island and Philippe Padovani of Padovani's Restaurant & Wine Bar will vie against each other in the second show.

On the third, Randal Ishizu of J.W. Marriott Ihilani Resort & Spa at Ko Olina faces off against Goran Streng of the Hawaii Prince Hotel.

Alan Wong, chef and owner of Alan Wong's Restaurant and The Pineapple Room at Macy's in Ala Moana Center, will serve as the resident food consultant and will select the ingredient that must be factored into each chef's recipe at the last minute. The competition will be launched when the secret ingredient is determined. To promote the local food industry, participating chefs will use island-grown ingredients.

The public may attend the duels on a first-come, first-served basis. Taping starts at 10 a.m. Saturday in the theater across from Ruth's Chris Steak House.

The initial duel will be shown from 7 to 8 p.m. Aug. 17, with another segment on Sept. 7. The schedule for the third show will be announced later.

The state Department of Health is a sponsor of the program, which is using the "Start Living Healthy" message as a theme.