Iron Chef

Episode 1

Michiba VS Shu Tomitoku (Pork Battle)

Jan 9, 1994

Episode 2

Chen vs Wan Weiping (Squid Battle)

Jan 16, 1994

Episode 3

Michiba VS Hoshino Jun (Egg Battle)

Jan 23, 1994

Episode 4

Michiba VS Tanabe Toshio (Sea Bream Battle)

Jan 30, 1994

Episode 5

Chin VS Taniguchi Kouichi (Shrimp Battle)

Feb 6, 1994

Episode 6

Michiba VS Masaki Kazuyoshi (Anago Eel Battle)

Feb 13, 1994

Episode 7

Chen vs Kandagawa Toshiro (Flounder Battle)

Feb 20, 1994

Episode 8

Sakai VS Guy Shokr (Oyster Battle)

Feb 27, 1994

Episode 9

Chen vs Kondo Shinji (Wheat Battle)

Mar 6, 1994

Episode 10

Sakai vs Kitami Hiroyuki (Tomato Battle)

Mar 13, 1994

Episode 11

Chen vs Kagata Kyoko (Scallop Battle)

Mar 20, 1994

Episode 12

Michiba VS Otakura Hideaki (Cheese Battle)

Mar 27, 1994

Episode 13

Michiba VS Goto Koichiro (Rice Battle)

Apr 8, 1994

Episode 14

Chen vs Munetaka Takahashi (Bamboo Shoots Battle)

Apr 15, 1994

The challenger is the first to come from Kyoto. Kyoto-style cuisine has a 1,200 year tradition. The challenger was picked by the chairman of the Kyoto Chefs Association. He decided to become a chef way back in elementary school after receiving a knife from his grandfather. Takahashi, "Kyoto style cuisine is basically mild. It is light in flavor. So I have confidence in controlling flavors at a very fine level." Judges: Tamio Kageyama (Novelist), Mayuko Takata (Actress), Masaaki Hirano (Rosanjin Scholar)

Episode 15

Sakai vs Mario Nakagawa (Lamb Battle)

Apr 22, 1994

Sakai must face a former apprentice. Which will prevail - Sakai's traditional methods or Nakagawa's nouveau "third wave" style? Judges: Tamio Kageyama (Novelist), Mayuko Takata (Actress), Asako Kishi (Critic)

Episode 16

Michiba vs Yukio Hattori (Truffle Battle)

Apr 29, 1994

Commentator Dr. Hattori issues a challenge to Michiba and is rewarded with an incredible secret ingredient. Judges: Joel Robuchon (Chef), Mai Kitajima (Actress), Masaaki Hirano (Rosanjin Scholar)

Episode 17

Chen vs Hiromi Yamada (Cabbage Battle)

May 6, 1994

Italian chef Hiromi was a legend. After beset by personal tragedy and financial ruin, he seeks redemption in Kitchen Stadium. Judges: Shinichiro Kurimoto (Politician), Mayuko Takata (Actress), Masaaki Hirano (Rosanjin Scholar)

Episode 18

Sakai vs Hiromi Funatsu (Bonito Battle)

May 13, 1994

Sakai faces the first sushi master in a fish battle for the ages. Judges: Daijiro Hashimoto (Governor of Kochi), Mai Kitajima (Actress), Masaaki Hirano (Rosanjin Scholar)

Episode 19

Sakai vs Masatoshi Kimura (Duck Battle)

May 20, 1994

Hot-flame Chinese cuisine is the challenger's specialty. Judges: Yasushi Akimoto (Music Producer), Mayuko Takata (Actress), Masaaki Hirano (Rosanjin Scholar)

Episode 20

Chen vs Kiyoshi Takahashi (Carrot Battle)

May 27, 1994

It's a rematch from the World Chinese Cooking contest. Kiyoshi won 3rd, but Chen won 2nd. This time it's war. Judges: Yasushi Akimoto (Songwriter/Producer), Mayuko Takata (Actress), Asako Kishi (Critic)

Episode 21

Michiba vs Kuniyuki Ishikawa (Natto Battle)

Jun 3, 1994

Fermented soy beans are the featured ingredient in this battle between two master chefs. The challenger is a certified Maestro of the the Japanese Cuisine Seminar Group, a Japanese chefs organization that has over 20,000 members. Michiba is also a certified Maestro and the leader of the group. Judges: Tamio Kageyama (Novelist), Ristuko Tanaka (Actress), Masaaki Hirono (Rosanjin Scholar)

Episode 22

Michiba vs Katsumi Hanato (Sweetfish Battle)

Jun 10, 1994

Kandagawa brings his apprentice to kitchen stadium for a sweetfish battle.

Episode 23

Sakai vs Yuji Wakiya (Sea Urchin Battle)

Jun 17, 1994

Sea Urchin provides a young chef the chance to revolutionalize Chinese cooking. Judges: Tamio Kageyama (Novelist), Mayuko Takata (Actress), Masaaki Hirano (Rosanjin Scholar)

Episode 24

Chen vs Masahiko Miyamoto (Milk Battle)

Jun 24, 1994

The challenger has been the top chef at one of Japan's 3 star French eateries. Judges: Kazuyoshi Okuyama (Director), Mayuko Takata (Actress), Masaaki Hirano (Rosanjin Scholar)

Episode 25

Chen vs Koichi Tabata (Eggplant Battle)

Jul 1, 1994

The challenger is a nomad. He's worked in 200 plus restaurants, so cooking in the new environment of Kitchen Stadium is no challenge. Judges: Toshio Yamaguchi (Politician), Mayuko Takata (Actress), Masaaki Hirano (Rosanjin Scholar)

Episode 26

Michiba vs Takashi Mera (Tuna Battle)

Jul 8, 1994

Knife skills will be put to the test in battle tuna. The challenger carries one of the longest knives in Japan. Despite his father being against it, the challenger began to apprentice at age 17. He is well versed in Tea Ceremony dining. He is now head chef at a restaurant visited by many Japanese Prime Ministers. He has chosen to battle Michiba because he does not like the way the Iron Chef uses non-traditional ingredients in Japanese dishes. The theme ingredient cost approximately $10,000. Judges: Shinichiro Kurimoto (Politician), Mayuko Takata (Actress), Asako Kishi (Critic)

Episode 27

Sakai vs Tadaaki Shimizu (Homard Battle)

Jul 15, 1994

Shimizu is a sous chef at the world famous Tour D'Argent. Both chefs appreciate the quality of these expensive lobsters. Judges: Shinichiro Kurimoto, Shyoko Tamura, Masaaki Hirano

Episode 28

Michiba and Chen vs Joël Bruant and Masafumi Furutaka (Sea Bass Battle)

Jul 22, 1994

Paul Bocuse sends two trusted apprentices to take not one, but two, iron chefs. This is the first time two Iron Chefs have been in Kitchen Stadium at the same time. Judges: Shinichiro Kurimoto (Politician), Kazuko Katoh (Actress), Mayuko Takata (Actress), Masaaki Hirano

Episode 29

Sakai vs Mitsuru Saitoh (Beef Battle)

Jul 29, 1994

Episode 30

Michiba vs Yasuhiko Yoshida (Eel Battle)

Aug 5, 1994

Kandagawa sends another apprentice to take down the Iron Chef in this slippery battle eel. If this challenger does not defeat Michiba, Kandagawa himself will come to Kitchen Stadium to challenge the Iron Chef. Judges: Tamio Kageyama (Novelist), Mayuko Takata (Actress), Masaaki Hirano (Rosanjin Scholar)

Episode 31

Sakai vs Hirohisa Koyama (Pike Eel Battle)

Aug 12, 1994

Still smarting from his challenger's defeat in Sea Urchin Battle, leading gourmet writer Masuhiro Yamamoto sends another contender - Koyama, who is so popular he is a recurring character in a cooking-themed manga.

Episode 32

Chen vs Katsuyo Kobayashi (Potato Battle)

Aug 19, 1994

Chen faces the second female chef in kitchen stadium. She is a television icon to many Japanese housewives. Both chefs enjoy fame. One's an Iron Chef, the other hosts a popular cooking show. Spuds will fly in battle potato.

Episode 33

Michiba vs Keiji Nakazawa (Corn Battle)

Aug 26, 1994

Considered the bad boy of French cooking, Keiji takes on Michiba in a battle of culinary rebels. The challenger earned the nickname Hound Dog after a 2 hour argument with Joel Robuchon about his food. He has over 10,000 recipes written down in French. He writes in French, thinks in French, and even says he dreams in French. Judges: Yasushi Akimoto (Song Writer), Julie Dreyfus (Actress),Masaaki Hirano (Rosanjin Scholar)

Episode 34

Chen vs Hideki Ohsako (Mushroom Battle)

Sep 2, 1994

Aguri Suzuki (Race car driver) and Ukyo Katayama (Race car Driver) recommend the hybrid French-Italian challenger. Osako is a heavyweight contender out to challenge Iron Chef Chinese in this mushroom battle.

Episode 35

Michiba vs Artur J. Rütter (Bell Pepper Battle)

Sep 9, 1994

The challenger is a German-born French cuisine specialist. The challenger has traveled through numerous countries collecting recipes and cooking for VIPs. Will his deficiency in the Japanese language hinder his cooking? Judges: Shigesato Itoi (Copy Writer), Kazuko Katoh (Actress), Masaaki Hirano (Rosanjin Scholar)

Episode 36

Michiba vs Tsutomu Hiroi (Pacific Saury Battle)

Sep 16, 1994

Hiroi is a Nouvelle French Chef set to battle cutting edge Japanese master Michiba.

Episode 37

Sakai vs Sotetsu Fuji (Yam Potato Battle)

Sep 23, 1994

Kitchen stadium becomes a temple of food as for the first time a Buddhist Priest enters for Battle: Yam

Episode 38

Chen vs Takashi Saito (Prawn Battle)

Sep 30, 1994

Chen must face a man who was his father's trusted apprentice. When they both prepare his father's signature dish, who will win?

Episode 39

Sakai vs Masamitsu Takahashi (Matsutake Mushrooms Battle)

Oct 7, 1994

Sakai attempts to use a traditional "Japanese" ingredient in his French cuisine

Episode 40

Michiba vs Xu Peirong (Shark Fin Battle)

Oct 14, 1994

The 50th battle in Kitchen Stadium. The challenger is the best in Hong Kong and considered one of the top three chefs in all of China. He says he has never lost in a competition he has entered. Can he keep his winning streak going in Kitchen Stadium? Judges: Shigesato Itoi (Copy Writer), Ryuichi Sakamoto (Composer), Asako Kishi (Culinary Critic)

Episode 41

Sakai VS Sekihata Katsuyuki (Bread Battle)

Oct 21, 1994

Episode 42

Chen vs Koji Kobayashi (Pumpkin Battle)

Oct 28, 1994

The challenger, a great Italian talent, was thought to have disappeared. He makes his return in a surprise kitchen stadium appearance.

Episode 43

Michiba vs Yasuo Kawada (Anglerfish Battle)

Nov 4, 1994

Michiba attacks a rising young apprentice from his hometown who critics have nicknamed "Little Michiba", in this angler assault. He uses the borderless cooking approach that made Iron Chef Michiba successful. Because of the time required to filet the theme fish, this battle is 15 minutes longer than usual. Judges: Shinichiro Kurimoto (Lower House Member), Mayuko Takata (Actress), Asako Kishi (Culinary Critic)

Episode 44

Chen vs Tadashi Sugita (Shanghai Crab Battle)

Nov 11, 1994

Episode 45

Michiba vs Tatsuo Umemiya (Horse Mackerel Battle)

Nov 18, 1994

An actor known for his cooking skills wants a chance to see what it is like to battle in Kitchen Stadium. Judges: Shinichiro Kurimoto (Lower House Member), Hisoko Monda (Actress), Masaaki Hirano (Rosanjin Scholar)

Episode 46

Sakai vs Seiya Kawasaki (Quail Battle)

Nov 25, 1994

Quail is the perfect secret ingredient...for the challenger. Can Sakai compete against this master of wild game cooking?

Episode 47

Chen vs Toshikatsu Nakagawa (Noodle Battle)

Dec 2, 1994

This challenger is the right hand man of famous chef Zhou Tomitoku. He won the bronze medal at the All China Cooking Skills Contest, beating out 300 other chefs. Noodle Battle Special Rule: Challenger will cook for 60 minutes, then tasting. Iron Chef will cook for 50 minutes, then cook for his final 10 minutes after challenger tasting is completed. Judges: Tamio Kageyama (Novelist), Mayuko Takata (Actress), Asako Kishi (Culinary Critic)

Episode 48

Michiba vs Hiroshi Furusho (Turkey Battle)

Dec 9, 1994

The challenger is a favorite of the manager of the Yakult Swallows baseball team. He is the chef at the hotel where they stay when they come to Osaka to play the Hanshin Tigers. He was once the head chef at the Japanese embassy to Morocco. He is skilled at preparing Cajun food. Many members of the Yakult Swallows are present to watch the battle. Judges: Tamio Kageyama (Novelist), Mayuko Takata (Actress), Asako Kishi (Critic)

Episode 49

Sakai vs Masayo Waki (Strawberry Battle)

Dec 16, 1994

Christmas day brings a strawberry battle and a female competitor. Sakai has a poor track record against women competitors. Will victory be his Christmas present?

Episode 50

Mr. Iron Chef 1994: Preliminaries

Dec 23, 1994

The three battles that make up the "Mr. Iron Chef 1994" tournament. Four challengers battle each other and the winner faces an Iron Chef in the first episode of the next year.