Ep 9. Flay Vs. DeChellis

In season 3 episode 9 of Iron Chef America, renowned chefs Bobby Flay and Joe DeChellis face off in a battle of culinary excellence. The episode begins with the traditional "Chairman's Challenge," in which the chefs must each create a dish featuring a surprise ingredient. This time, the chefs are tasked with using artichokes in their dishes. Flay impresses the judges with his grilled artichoke hearts with charred lemon vinaigrette, while DeChellis wows them with a dish of artichoke confit with white anchovy and clarified butter.

After the Chairman's Challenge, the chefs move on to the main event - the "Secret Ingredient" challenge. The secret ingredient for this episode is duck, and both Flay and DeChellis are given one hour to create five dishes featuring the protein. The judges for this episode include Iron Chef America regulars Alton Brown and Mark Dacascos, as well as special guest judge and Iron Chef Japan alum Hiroyuki Sakai.

Flay starts off strong with his first dish - a seared duck breast with black pepper-honey glaze and a side of crispy duck skin with cranberry-duck-meatball soup. DeChellis counters with a dish of duck confit with agrodolce of cherry and crushed fennel, served with a side of fried duck tongue. As the competition continues, the chefs continue to impress with inventive and delicious dishes. Flay creates a dish of duck and potato hash with date and prosciutto bread pudding, while DeChellis prepares a dish of seared duck liver with lemon, radish and mustard.

In the final moments of the competition, both chefs are feeling the pressure. Flay finishes with a dish of seared duck breast with pumpernickel-berry stuffing and sweet and sour swiss chard, while DeChellis presents a dish of seared duck breast with foie gras, cherry and kohlrabi. The judges are left with a difficult decision, as both chefs have presented outstanding dishes throughout the competition.

In the end, only one chef can be named the winner, and the judges announce their decision. Whether you're a fan of Bobby Flay or Joe DeChellis, there's no denying the talent and skill displayed by both chefs in this exciting episode of Iron Chef America. Tune in to see who comes out on top in this epic battle of culinary mastery.