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Japanese cooking competition show Iron Chef, which posesses an impenetrable, cultlike following amongst foodies and anyone with a decent bong, is trying to break the mainstream American market by expanding its franchise with another attempt at Iron Chef America. The team of Iron Chefs, who will "battle" challengers on a rotating basis, include some of New York's finest:

There's no question that the roster of Iron Chefs and their challengers represents top culinary talent. In addition to Mr. Flay, the Iron Chefs include Mario Batali, of Babbo and Lupa in New York, and Masaharu Morimoto, formerly the executive chef at Nobu in New York. The network has also anointed the first female Iron Chef, Cat Cora, a well-traveled New York chef.

Mario Batali, the red-headed ruddy beast, in the same room as cutie Cat Cora? It's like the Fat Men/Hot Wives trend has morphed into an incomprehensible beast of its own.
Samurai Of Cuisine, On A New Battlefield [NYT]