Ep 18. Batali vs. Blais

Batali vs. Blais is the 18th episode of season 3 of Iron Chef America, a show that pits some of the best chefs in the world against each other in a culinary battle.

The episode sees two of America's top chefs, Mario Batali and Richard Blais, go head-to-head in Kitchen Stadium. Batali, who has previously won four Iron Chef battles, is known for his classic Italian dishes and his use of fresh, seasonal ingredients. Blais, who was a finalist on season 4 of Top Chef, is known for his innovative and experimental cooking style.

The episode begins with the traditional "Chairman's Challenge," in which the chefs are given a secret ingredient and must create a dish using only that ingredient and whatever else they can find in the Iron Chef pantry. For this episode, the secret ingredient is lobster.

As the timer counts down, Batali and Blais work feverishly to create their dishes. Batali opts for a classic Italian approach, creating a lobster risotto with fava beans and pea shoots. Blais, on the other hand, goes for a more experimental approach, creating a lobster foam with miso and tarragon oil.

After the Chairman tastes both dishes, he declares that Blais has won the challenge. Blais is given an advantage for the main event, and he chooses to go second.

For the main event, the chefs are given one hour to create five dishes each, all featuring a secret ingredient that will be revealed at the start of the battle. As the clock starts ticking, the secret ingredient is revealed: lamb.

Batali and Blais both begin to work on their dishes, with Batali taking a more traditional approach and Blais again going for something unexpected. Batali creates a lamb chop with cumin and mint, while Blais creates a lamb "hot pocket" with fermented black bean sauce.

As the battle progresses, the chefs continue to create dishes that are both delicious and visually stunning. Batali creates a lamb shank with roasted garlic polenta, while Blais creates a lamb tartar with quail egg and garlic chips.

As the timer runs out, the chefs present their dishes to the judges. The judges taste each dish individually, giving their opinions and scores before declaring a winner.

At the end of the episode, the winner is revealed, and the losing chef graciously congratulates their opponent. It's a hard-fought battle, but ultimately one that showcases the incredible talents of both Batali and Blais.

Overall, Batali vs. Blais is a must-watch episode for fans of Iron Chef America, showcasing the talents of two of the country's most exciting chefs as they battle it out in the legendary Kitchen Stadium.