The Next Iron Chef: Finale

Finally, tonight we find out who will be the Next Iron Chef. Since I love the Food Network, especially Iron Chef America, I am very excited to see who wins.

It's hosted by Mark Dacascos (the Chairman on Iron Chef America), and Alton Brown (Good Eats, Feasting On Asphalt, and Iron Chef America)

It is judged by Donatella Arpaia (NYC restaurateur), Andrew Knowlton (Restaurant Editor at Bon Appétit), and Michael Ruhlman (Freelance journalist and writer).

It started off with eight wonderful chefs:
John Besh
Chris Cosentino
Jill Davie
Traci Des Jardins
Gavin Kaysen
Morou Ouattara
Aarón Sanchez
Michael Symon

After a bunch of crazy and unique battles, it has come down to Chef John Besh and Chef Michael Symon.

Tonight is the ultimate showdown, Chef Besh vs. Chef Symon in Kitchen Stadium. A true Iron Chef showdown and the winner takes all. Who will it be? Chef Besh? Or Chef Symon?

A Little Info about the Two Finalists

Chef Besh is from Slideli, Louisiana. He is married and has four young boys. He is also Executive Chef at Restaurant August, Besh Steak, Lüke and La Provence. According to a Q&A on foodnetwork.com, he says his secret ingredient is jumbo lump blue crab meat, and his culinary point-of-view/cuisine he is known for is contemporary French technique combines with indigenous south Louisiana products. Also, according to the Q&A, his culinary inspirations are Chef Karl-Josef Fuchs in Obermünstertal Germany and Michel Richard in Washington DC and the ingredients he avoids are Tilapia, Atlantic salmon and imported shrimp and crawfish.

Chef Symon is from Columbus, Ohio. He is married and has one stepson. He is Executive Chef and Owner or Lola and Lolita. According to his Q&A on foodnetwork.com, his signature ingredient is pork, and his culinary point-of-view/cuisine he is known for is own take on American and Mediterranean cuisines, and he also likes to use sustainable ingredients. Also, according to the Q&A, his culinary inspiration is Chef Jonathon Waxman and the ingredient he avoids is tofu.

Why They Should Be the Next Iron Chef

Chef Besh says, "I should be the Next Iron Chef because I possess the unique combination of talents and abilities that will show me to be a successful Iron Chef. I work well under pressure, handling high stress with professionalism and class. I cook from the heart not from intellect so it is not forced and comes rather naturally when I am called to improvise. My style combines new techniques - cooking with slow foods in such a way that it is fashionable without being heartless. Lastly, I'm a warrior with a proven track record."

Chef Symon says he should be the Next Iron Chef because "Not only do I have nerves of steel, but I am extremely versatile in the kitchen and take any challenge that is thrown at me. And, no one can match my drive and desire to win this competition."

Their Secret Weapons

According to Chef Besh's biography on foodnetwork.com's the Next Iron Chef site, his secret weapon is the art of throwing spoons.

According to Chef Symon's biography on foodnetwork.com's the Next Iron Chef site, his secret weapon is passion.

So, who will win? It will be an intense battle with a well deserved honor at the end.

From the beginning, I really liked Chef Besh. I saw him compete on Iron Chef America once. He challenged Iron Chef Mario Batali in battle andouille sausage, and won! So, I have to say, I've been routing for him since the beginning of the Next Iron Chef, because I really enjoyed him when he challenged Iron Chef Mario Batali.

Besh has a great personality. He is very competitive, but friendly, and shows he likes to have fun and joke around. Yet, while he has fun and jokes around, he works well under pressure, and always seems very calm and collected.

Symon also has a great personality, and he, too, is also very competitive. He always seems to have fun. But sometimes seems a little frazzled under pressure, like a time limit.

They both have excellent sportsmanship which is very important in a competition like this, especially since they will continually be competing against other top chefs in the country on Iron Chef America.

I really like both of these chefs now, although, I am a little partial to Chef Besh. But whoever wins definitely deserves the title of Iron Chef. And whoever wins will be great for Iron Chef America.

(The Next Iron Chef - Official Site - The Food Network)

(The Next Iron Chef - Bio - Chef John Besh - The Food Network)

(The Next Iron Chef - Bio - Chef Michael Symon - The Food Network)