Ep 3. Iron Chef America: Symon vs. Fraser

In the eighth season of Iron Chef America, Symon vs. Fraser is the third episode that features two talented chefs competing against each other in Kitchen Stadium. The episode is packed with intense culinary battles as Iron Chef Michael Symon goes up against challenger Chef Brendan Fraser.

In this competition, both the chefs have to cook their way through three courses, with secret ingredients revealed moments before the countdown starts. Each course is judged by a panel of esteemed food critics based on criteria like taste, presentation, and creativity.

The episode kicks off with the Chairman introducing the evening's theme ingredient – beer. As the buzzer goes off, Iron Chef Symon and Chef Fraser get to work preparing their first dishes to impress the panel of judges.

The first course is an appetizer, and both chefs use beer creatively to come up with unique dishes. Iron Chef Symon makes a beer-infused crab meat dish garnished with herbs, while Chef Fraser presents his version of beer-braised pork belly.

The second course is where the chefs need to step up their game since this is the entree round. Iron Chef Symon chooses steak as his main ingredient and pairs it with a beer-based sauce and braised vegetables to create an elegant dish. Chef Fraser decides to use beer to marinate his chicken and lamb and serves it with cumin flavoured rice.

For the final course, the dessert round, both chefs get creative with beer once again. Iron Chef Symon makes beer sorbet with citrus and malt, serving it with roasted fruits, while Chef Fraser makes chocolate fritters with beer caramel sauce.

The judges also get to taste a special beer cocktail made by Iron Chef Symon, which impresses them for its unique flavours and presentation. Throughout the episode, the two chefs push themselves to the limit, using beer in various forms and techniques to come up with innovative dishes.

The presentation of the dishes is also noteworthy, with both chefs utilizing their skills to create stunning food platters that look like works of art. The judges have a difficult time deciding the winner, with each dish having its unique flavours and presentation.

Overall, the Symon vs. Fraser episode of Iron Chef America is an intense cooking competition that showcases the creative skills of both Iron Chef Michael Symon and challenger Chef Brendan Fraser. The use of beer as the theme ingredient challenges the chefs to think outside the box and come up with dishes that are both unique and flavourful. The judges' decision is sure to be a tough one, with both chefs displaying their culinary expertise from beginning to end.