‘Iron Chef’ is a crazy Japanese import cooking game show that features accomplished chefs from around the world going head to head in a competition format that’s part Julia Child, part pro wrestling. Even non-foodies are drawn to the show for its sheer entertainment value.

The show was originally created by the Fuji TV network in the Japan, and the original Japanese title translates literally to The Iron Men of Cooking. The premise behind the competition is even more outlandish. An eccentric millionaire and food lover MC Kaga, summons the summons the finest chefs in Japan to do battle in his kitchen stadium. Also in residence are three Iron Chefs, each representing a different type of cuisine (Chinese, French and Japanese). The summoned culinary challenger picks which Iron Chef he wants to take a crack at and the contest begins.

The chefs just dont pull out the best dishes from their repertoire–that would be too predictable. Theres a catch to the contest, and thats the fact that every dish must contain the theme ingredient which is kept a mystery until immediately before the contest begins. At that time, Kaga brings forth a heaping helping of whatever the current mystery ingredient is in a production of smoke and pyrotechnics. Sometimes the ingredient is something basic like tofu or apples, but it can also be something obscure like ox tail or some obscure shellfish.

At that point, the chefs have an hour to prepare a seven course meal, served to a discerning panel of B-List celebrities that usually include a couple of ‘TV Presenters’ and a ‘fortune teller’. The judges rate and discuss each course and declare a winner. Its a great honor to beat one of the Iron Chefs, though its no easy feat.

What really brings the show together is the announcing. Theres a hysterical play by play announcer, an excitable color commentator, and an even more hyperactive sideline correspondent who will break in the commentary frequently with revelations such as observing that a chef is using fresh ginger in a dish or some similar piece of trivia. Apparently one of the announcers is a legit sumo wrestling announcer in Japan, making the strange juxtaposition between cooking shows and wrestling even more complete.

The dishes that are presented are always amazing and creative. Sometimes they might not be the most appetizing creations, but that’s to be expected when you have to make a desert with something like pickled carp as a theme ingredient. The creative process and the competition is what makes the show a must watch.

The Food Network now produces an American-ized version of the show entitled Iron Chef America. Despite the similar format, it pales in comparison to the original Fuji TV production.

Ross Everett is a freelance sports writer and respected authority on World Cup betting. His writing has appeared on a variety of sports sites including sportsbooks and sportsbook directory sites. He lives in Las Vegas, Nevada with three Jack Russell Terriers and a kangaroo. He is currently working on an autobiography of former interior secretary James Watt.