Food Network is in search for “The Next Iron Chef” and 10 contestants are ready to prove that they are up for the job. Alton Brown hosts and leads the chefs through challenges. The setup is similar to other challenge shows out there. They are given a mini-challenge where they can earn things like immunity or other benefits. Then after a mini-challenge is the real challenge. The chefs are given longer to prepare their meals and at the end one of them will be eliminated.

The first episode the chefs start off with a memory challenge. Each chef is assigned a different ingredient that was picked specifically for them to come up with a dish that reflects a memory for them and they have to serve it family style. Once the time runs out they are surprised to find out that they will be the judges. After tasting everyone’s dish they must pick their favorite and it can not be their own.

Next up is the elimination challenge. Everyone is once again assigned a different mystery ingredient for the “Fearless” challenge and this time around they are what many may look at to be repulsive or have never tried. Things like jellyfish, un-laid eggs, cockscombs, and stinky tofu. Two dishes have to be made and then placed before the judges Anya Fernald, Jeffrey Steingarten, & Donatella Arpaia.

I use to watch the original “Iron Chef” years ago and thoroughly enjoyed it. Taking one talented chef and giving them the ability to compete against chefs they respect to see who comes out on top is a great concept and is something that hadn’t really been done before. However “The Next Iron Chef” is more of a carbon copy of shows like “Top Chef”; just not as entertaining. Of course it typically takes a couple of episodes with shows like this before you get a grasp on who the contestants are and which one you will like to pull for. Usually though it is easy to see the first episode who will be the one contestant that you will hate. Based off of what I saw this will be Nate Appleman. During the tasting of the mini-challenge he bashes the other contestants and when they had something to say about his food he told them they were wrong. When will people learn that there is a difference between being confident and being an ass?

“The Next Iron Chef” has all the key elements needed for this kind of show but it has yet to find that one thing needed to make it different from the other challenge shows that have been around longer. One of the first things though that they will need to fix before they gain me as a fan is the judges. Anya Fernald & Donatella Arpaia are alright and aren’t afraid to be harsh when needed or give compliments when deserving. Jeffrey Steingarten though is where I have a problem. In attempts to be the Simon Cowell of the show he tries to be abrasive. And while he does nail abrasive it is for the wrong reasons. Sure he has some words for the chefs but he is derogatory to the other judges telling them that they don’t know things and their points are not valid. In his attempts to prove that he is right he even tries to pull Alton into the mix, but Alton politely declines an answer. I honestly thought that the women were going to punch him but they did manage to keep their cool the best they could.

If Jeffrey Steingarten can keep his comments to the food and the contestants and quit trying to belittle the other judges or if maybe Food Network replaces him them I will be more open to this show. It’s not a bad show though it is not unique. They try to maintain what they can of “Iron Chef” by using mystery ingredients, having Alton Brown host, and the appearance of The Chairman Mark Dacascos. Doesn’t look like you will learn too much in way of cooking like you do from “Next Food Network Star”; but you will get some tough challenges and chefs that will either stand-out or crack under the pressure. For fans of shows like “Top Chef”.