The Flying Knives Challenge, as it's called, pits teppanyaki chefs from around the country against one another. Among the chefs is Tanaka of Tokyo's Nick Narimatsu, who will come away the winner in the segment filmed last May. First prize is $10,000.

Part two, which airs at 8 p.m. Feb. 18 on the Food Network, the Fruit Sculpture Challenge, features four competitors who carve a showpiece on the theme "Tropical Paradise" for yet another $10,000 prize.

The final one-hour show, the Hawaiian Lu'au Challenge, which stars Hawai'i chefs Alan Wong, Sam Choy and Bev Gannon, is expected to air in early March.

Narimatsu, 24, who has been wielding knives at Tanaka of Tokyo for two years, weathered a nerve-wracking 4-hour contest against four challengers, with competition split into two rounds and judging based on speed and agility, creativity, culinary skill and showmanship.

His recipe — not served at Tanaka of Tokyo — was Cajun Herb-Crusted Seared 'Ahi in Sake-to-Me Shoyu Sauce.

Tanaka of Tokyo outlets are in the Ilikai Hotel, the Waikiki Shopping Plaza and King's Village.