Michelle Obama & Nigella Lawson on Iron Chef

Holy mackerel fillets! No sooner had I declared my love for the Food Network and its flagship show Iron Chef America, than this press release crosses my desk -"Iron Chef America takes on The White House." Ace.

"Michelle Obama sets the Iron Chefs their toughest challenge yet."
Double ace.

"Nigella Lawson guest stars."
 At this point I begin frothing at the mouth.

It's not often I get this excited about food TV - Come Dine With Me makes me want to stick forks in my eyes just to relieve the embarassment, but come on, how cool is this? Chefs Mario Batali, Bobby Flay and Emeril Lagasse compete alongside White House Executive Chef Cristeta Comerford. Their challenge, a direct edict from the First Lady, who greets the chefs as they arrive at the White House kitchens, is to cook a menu using produce fresh from the White House's vegetable garden. Nigella, who rarely makes TV appearances these days, guests as a judge, as does, in a feat of supreme but nonetheless excellent randomness, Dr Quinn: Medicine Woman, aka Jane Seymour.

You know it's what the Americans term 'event television' when the promos and press shots feature the participants strutting. Preferably slo-mo strutting. So here, they are, striding purposely across the White House lawn, from l-r: Emeril Lagasse, Bobby Flay, presenter Alton Brown, Cristeta Comerford, Mario Batali.


 

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Readers, I have used a cropped photo to avoid upsetting any delicate sensibilities - trust me, you don't need to see Mario Batali's fluro-orange surgical socks and matching Crocs. Honestly, it's the White House Batali - smarten it up a notch.

Iron Chef America: Super Chef Battle airs Sat 27 March, 9pm, Sky channel 262 or freesat channel 405. Can't wait.


http://www.foodnetwork.co.uk/