Batali Did Not Quit Iron Chef America

[Morton the Mousse]

Given that the previous thread, based on a false rumor, has received over 150 replies, I thought I'd start a new thread to clarify this. Batali did not quit Iron Chef America. In fact, they aired a new IFA featuring Mario last night.

Here is a link to the article in which Batali emphatically states that these rumors are "Not True!"

http://community.tvguide.com/blog/TVG...

"I’m taping two episodes of Iron Chef America in a few weeks. I’m the best Iron Chef, why would I quit? And why would I threaten the network? Molto Mario’s been out of production for two-and-a-half years. [Reruns still air weekly.] We have a fine relationship."

This was a big relief for me. Batali is my favorite Iron Chef, and his departure would have been a real loss.

[spinach]

based upon the advertisement in the current bon appetit, the iron chef line up is about to lose morimoto. the ad shows the contestants for the potential "new" chef position along with verbiage listing the current ones....morimoto's name is not listed.

[sgwood415]

You realize of course they shoot these way ahead of time. Anything that's airing now was filmed way before any of the rumors started.

[Morton the Mousse]

Are you implying that Batali lied when questioned by TV Guide? It seems pretty clear cut that he does not intend to quit IFA anytime in the near future.

[southernitalian]

I'm confused. What's IFA?

[Morton the Mousse]

IFA = Iron Chef America

sqwood - I apologize if my tone was overly harsh, that was not my intention. I was genuinely confused about the meaning of your post. If Batali plans on quitting IFA after filming two more episodes, why would he tell the press that he has no intention of quitting?

[la vida dulce]

Molto Mario is now in reruns on Fine Living Channel.

[sgwood415]

Who knows why celebs say things to the press. It's all spin control, contractual responsibilities, maybe the rumors are untrue, go figure. I know from watching TNFNS that they make positive press part of the job description for their chefs. I have a hunch there's a bit of spin control going on. They're all one big happy family in the press. I know if I was the PR manager for FN, I'd order up some positive interviews post haste. I'm sure the truth lies somewhere in the middle.

[Midlife]

Sorry to digress...... It's not really important but how is IFA the acronym for Iron Chef America? What does the "F" relate to?? Is it something in the original Japanese version??

And..... I'm relieved to hear that Mario isn't leaving the show. He's really pretty much the best they have now. I've only eaten at Esca, and a long time ago, but the memory still lingers.

[southernitalian]

Is it Iron Fef America? I thought it was Iron Chef.

[Morton the Mousse]

Jeez. It was a typo. No reason to dwell on it.

[mallomarmom]

Thank you for the great news! I, too, saw Iron Chef last night and thought that it might have been a rerun! Great, great news.

[susancinsf]

thanks for the update...I really enjoyed last night's episode, parmesan cheese...mmm...

[MMRuth]

That was the secret ingredient? Sounds interesting - will have to try to tape a re-run.

[Morton the Mousse]

Last night's was one of the best episodes of IFA I have ever seen. Definitely worth taping.

[susancinsf]

I agree.

[FattyDumplin]

A Voce and Babbo are two of my favorite restaurants so i was eagerly anticipating the matchup. Both did not disappoint. With scores of 55 and 56, that had to be the highest scoring IFA ever, no? All their dishes looked exceptional and i've never seen the judges rave so much.

[FattyDumplin]

and frankly, justice would have been served if they had tied. how do you differentiate between two great great chefs?

[phneale]

I think the new Iron Chef is to be a replacement for Morimoto who is not shown on the promos.

[spinach]

anyone got a clue on how to get ahold of some of the iron chef/challengers recipes we seen on the show? most are beyond my abilities but i'd still like to try my hand at several i've seen.