Ep 7. Morimoto vs. Eme

In this episode of Iron Chef America, Japanese cuisine master Masaharu Morimoto faces off against Latin American cuisine expert Sue Torres, also known as Chef Eme. As the two chefs enter the Kitchen Stadium, they are greeted with the secret ingredient: pumpkin.

Morimoto and Eme have 60 minutes to prepare five dishes utilizing pumpkin as the main ingredient. Each chef is allowed to bring in their own sous chefs to assist with cooking, and are given access to the show's pantry stocked with a wide array of spices, meats, and seafood.

Morimoto quickly gets to work, slicing and dicing his pumpkin into various shapes and sizes. He seamlessly blends traditional Japanese flavors with the sweet and savory flavors of pumpkin to create a stunning array of dishes, including a pumpkin tartare with chives and ginger, and a pumpkin dumpling in a spicy broth.

Meanwhile, Eme takes a more traditional Latin American approach, combining pumpkin with chiles and spices to create bold, flavorful dishes that pay homage to her heritage. Her menu includes a pumpkin tamale with roasted tomatillo salsa, and a pumpkin flan with burnt sugar caramel.

As the clock ticks down, tensions rise in the Kitchen Stadium as both chefs struggle to perfect their dishes before time runs out. Each dish is judged on a scale of one to ten by a panel of three judges, taking into account factors such as taste, presentation, and creativity.

In the end, only one chef will be crowned the winner and earn the title of Iron Chef. Will it be Morimoto's fusion of Japanese and pumpkin flavors or Eme's traditional Latin American dishes? Tune in to find out who comes out on top in this exciting episode of Iron Chef America.