Iron Chefs duke it out at MGM

Kimberley McGee

Wednesday, June 27, 2001 | 8:28 a.m.

It's a duel to the dessert.

A new UPN television show, in which chefs battle for best dish, "Iron Chef USA: Showdown in Las Vegas" will tape today and Thursday at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. The event is not open to the public.

The show pits the culinary creativeness of famed "Iron" chefs against up-and-coming challengers.

Among the warring world-famous chefs, Todd English, owner of Olives restaurant at Bellagio, will be challenged by Kerry Simon of Prime, also at Bellagio.

UPN (Cox Cable channel 6) will air the two one-hour specials later this year.

The show is the first American version of the popular Japanese cuisine competition "Iron Chef" on the Food Network (Cox Cable channel 42).

The American version will closely follow the original Japanese show, "Iron Chef." Each chef is given one hour to prepare a gourmet five-course meal in which a secret ingredient, given to them moments before they begin cooking, is featured in each dish.

The dishes are sampled by a panel of four celebrities who judge the chefs' creations on taste, originality and presentation.

As host of the event, actor William Shatner will name the secret ingredient immediately before the chefs begin, declare "allez cuisine" (French for "start cooking") and announce the judges' findings.

English is the "Iron Chef American." Recently named one of the 50 most beautiful people by People magazine, English specializes in Mediterranean interpretive cuisine. He graduated with honors from the Culinary Institute of America.

Backing English in the arena will be "Italian Iron Chef" Alessandro Stratta of Renoir at the Mirage. Nicknamed the "Italian Scallion," he was named Best Chef Southwest by the James Beard Foundation in 1998; Jean Francios Meteigner, owner of La Cachette in Los Angeles is the "Iron Chef French"; and Roy Yamaguchi, the "Samurai of Stir Fry" and owner of Roy's Restaurants with 23 locations worldwide, is the "Iron Chef Asian."

The challengers are local Simon, a Culinary Institute of America graduate, and Marcus Sameulsson of Aquavit in New York.

A culinary commentator and announcer will banter and offer insights into the chef's actions and style for those watching at home.

If viewers lap up the battling chefs' works, UPN may offer seconds and thirds in the form of an ongoing series.