Ep 6. Izard vs. Battes

Iron Chef America is a cooking competition show where top chefs from around the world compete against each other using secret ingredients to create unique and innovative dishes. In season 13, episode 6, titled "Izard vs. Battes," two talented chefs go head-to-head in the Kitchen Stadium to see who is the ultimate Iron Chef.

The first chef is Stephanie Izard, known for her creative and bold flavors. She is the first female winner of Bravo's "Top Chef" and has received numerous accolades for her Chicago-based restaurant, Girl & The Goat. Izard is known for taking risks with her dishes and incorporating unusual ingredients.

The second chef is Michael Battes, an up-and-coming chef hailing from Raleigh, North Carolina. Battes has worked in some of the top restaurants in the country and has a passion for using fresh, local ingredients. He is known for his classic French cooking techniques and attention to detail.

In the first round of the competition, the chefs are given a secret ingredient and have 20 minutes to create a dish using it. The ingredient for this episode is revealed to be strawberries. Izard decides to make a strawberry gazpacho with a grilled shrimp skewer, while Battes chooses to make a strawberry and caramelized onion tart with goat cheese. Both dishes receive high praise from the judges, but ultimately, Izard is declared the winner of the round.

For the second round, the chefs are given a main ingredient and must create a dish featuring it in just 60 minutes. The ingredient for this round is swordfish, a challenging ingredient that can easily become dry if overcooked. Izard decides to make a seared swordfish with a papaya and avocado salad, while Battes creates a swordfish roulade stuffed with crabmeat and served with a tomato sauce. Once again, both chefs impress the judges with their creativity and execution, but this time, Battes comes out on top.

In the final round, the chefs must create a dessert using a secret ingredient in just 30 minutes. The secret ingredient for this episode is peanut butter. Izard decides to make a peanut butter semifreddo with a cherry compote, while Battes creates a peanut butter and jelly sandwich with a fried banana. The judges are blown away by both desserts, but ultimately, Izard's dish is declared the winner, and she is named the episode's Iron Chef.

Overall, "Izard vs. Battes" is a thrilling and intense episode of Iron Chef America that showcases two incredibly talented chefs. The judges are impressed with the creativity and execution of both chefs' dishes, and the secret ingredients provide a unique challenge that keeps the audience on the edge of their seats. Fans of the show will not want to miss this exciting episode.