An Iron Chef America Holiday Extravaganza!
Monday, November 26, 2007 | posted by Mike
'Tis the season, apparently.
I really hope you had a chance to tune in for the big holiday-themed desert battle on Iron Chef America. It was, in all likelihood, the funniest thing that I've ever seen on the Food Network. And I'm pretty sure that at least half of that humor was intentional...
I mean, Martial Arts Santa (see the remarkably accurate approximation at left) and the Elfin Sous Chef were certainly there to elicit a chuckle. The histrionics and maniacal cackling of Paula Deen? Well, I'm guessing that was just an unexpected bonus!
Yeah, I have to say I was pretty much right on with my guess a few weeks back. Paula wasn't really doing anything you or I couldn't do, so I'm hoping Cat got paid overtime for putting in all the extra work.
I'm not sure when it's on again, but do yourself a favor and check it out if you can.
Another thing: Have you seen those new promos for the holiday season with the various personalities as pseudo-Rankin/Bass characters? Am I the only person who thinks they didn't do Giada any favors by making her body so small? I mean, people already make fun of her for having a big head. But they got the smile spot on.
Labels: Cat Cora, Giada De Laurentiis, Iron Chef America, Paula Deen
Cat Cora: "Paula, how about you just go sit in the corner until we're done, OK?"
Friday, October 26, 2007 | posted by Mike
No, not an actual quote from the Iron Chef. It's just something that I'm predicting will be said during an upcoming special:
IRON CHEF AMERICA: ALL STAR HOLIDAY BATTLE
Premieres: Sunday, November 25th at 9PM
In another All Star Culinary Showdown, the Chairman has invited Paula Deen to partner up with Iron Chef Cat Cora and compete against Food Network’s own Tyler Florence and Robert Irvine.
That's right, another one of those all-star battles, just like we had last year with Bobby, Mario, Giada and Rachael. But this time it's ladies vs. gentlemen. Having seen Robert in action under pressure and knowing that Tyler has NYC kitchen experience, I have no doubt that they'll be able to work reasonably well under the ICA conditions.
Likewise, we certainly know that Cat can withstand the bright lights of Kitchen Stadium. But Paula Deen? Really?
Maybe I'm down on Paula as a result of catching about three minutes of her selling cast iron pans on QVC the other night -- yeah, it was pretty bad -- but I'm just having a tough time seeing the easily excitable Ms. Deen working well in such a setting. I have a feeling that she's just going to get in the way.
Cat -- a word of advice: Five minutes into the competition, put Paula on the deep-fryer and just leave her there.
Labels: Cat Cora, Paula Deen, Robert Irvine, Tyler Florence
