Symon
vs. Yagihashi: Battle Egg
April 1
The
Challenger: Chef
Takashi Yagihashi. He developed a love of seafood from
growing up in a seaside community north of Tokyo. He
eventually moved to the US Midwest, where he became a
2003 James Beard award winner. Today, his
French-American cuisine with a Japanese flavor can be
sampled at Takashi in Chicago. Today, he challenges a
culinary hero of his, Iron Chef Michael Symon, in a
battle of Chicago vs. Cleveland.
Prepare for
battle.
YAGIHASHI
Cyndie Ha & Fred Despres, sous-chefs |
VS |
SYMON
Derek Clayton & Cory Barrett, sous-chefs |
French American |
COOKING STYLE |
Mediterranean |
The
Theme Ingredient:
varieties of egg, from chicken, ostrich, quail, pheasant, and duck.
The Rules:
Each chef must create a five-course
dinner, with each course utilizing the theme ingredient, within 60
minutes. The judges will score the dishes on a 20-point scale: 10 points
taste, 5 points plating and presentation, 5 points creativity and use of
theme ingredient. The chef that best articulates the theme through
their dishes wins.
The battle clock is set at 60 minutes, which will start
when the Chairman, with full heart and empty stomach, utters the words
of his dear uncle.... "Allez cuisine!"
And Battle Egg is ON! Symon starts with
duck egg yolk for pasta, while Takashi is working on marrow of beef
bones. Symon has a pork butt and quail livers.
A bit of history: Cory once worked with
Chef Takashi, and IC Symon poached him from Takashi, so this is a bit of
a grudge match.
The egg is the most versatile ingredient
in the culinary firmament. Whether used in sweet or savory applications,
there is nothing that eggs can't do.
Tonight's Judges...
- Food writer Simon Majumdar ("The Next Iron Chef")
- Cookbook author Candice Kumai ("Unique Eats")
- Actor Peter Jacobson ("House, MD")
TASTING & JUDGMENT
Takashi:
"Egg is not a very very big character, so I'm focused about making... harmony."
- Onsen Tamago
- Eggs Two Ways with Beef Marrow
- Sea Urchin and Shrimp Chawan Mushi
- Duck Egg Roulade
- Egg Dessert Duo
Symon: "I
wanted to take each different egg that we used and pair it with the protein from
each different animal."
- Quail Egg with a Hole in the Middle
- Duck Egg Fettuccine
- Spicy Boudin Blanc with Poached Egg
- Ostrich Surf & Turf
- Arucana Cake
A rich meal on the challenger's side ends
perfectly with a sweet, clean, perfect finish. "Michael Symon's going to
have to bring it, or else he's going to be in trouble." Symon counters
with citrus ice cream and chicken skin, so points for creative. Symon
had a genuine fear of not finishing for the first time in his more than
30 battles at KSA. But whose cuisine reigns supreme?
The verdict... by a mere two points...
|
CHALLENGER |
IRON CHEF |
Taste |
25 |
27 |
Plating |
12 |
13 |
Originality |
14 |
13 |
... 53-51 in favor of
Iron Chef Michael Symon. Aesthetics deadlocked, the
taste served the home team the win today.
Until next battle, we bid
you good eating.
To see this episode in its entirety, go to
www.foodnetwork.com/ica. |