Akane Challenges the Iron Chef
A Ranma 1/2 Fanfic
Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters in this fic. This fic is purely for entertainment purposes and is not intended for profit.
Author's Notes: Many of you may not be aware of a show that's on the Food Network nowadays. This show is called "Iron Chef". It is a cooking competition show and it's filmed in Japan by Fuji TV (the Food Network has merely licensed an English dubbed version) and has been running in Japan since 1993. It only started on the Food Network this summer. In any event, you should watch it to see if you like it. You can also check out www.ironchef.com for a more detailed description of the show. I hope to convey the feel of the show here in this fic. I don't really know why I'm writing this, I just thought it would be fun to write (and it was).
Just as a quick introduction to some of the people referred to below, Kaga is Takeshi Kaga, the master of ceremonies. He is always dressed rather... interestingly. Fukui is Kenji Fukui, a baseball announcer who acts as the announcer for Iron Chef. Hattori is Hattori Yukio, the food expert (the color guy. Sort of the John Madden to Fukui's Pat Summerall, if you will). Finally, Ota is Shinichiro Ota, the kitchen floor reporter who provides regular updates on what the chefs are doing. Yes, these are all real people.
Well, without further ado....
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Ranma « - Akane Challenges the Iron Chef
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Akane sat in her room fuming. She knew Ranma was downstairs, nursing his self-inflicted wounds. Well, actually, Akane had inflicted his wounds, but she considered them self-inflicted since he had to have known what the result of insulting her cooking would be. OK, so maybe she put in a little too much chocolate icing in the tempura batter. It was an honest mistake.
But, Akane vowed, this simply would not stand. She'd show Ranma. She had seen a show on TV the other day called Iron Chef. Those guys were supposed to be master chefs, but the stuff they were doing didn't look all that different from how she cooked. One of them even concocted an asparagus bavarian cream. That had sounded disgusting to her, but that one judge raved and raved about it. Well, if they could do it, she could do it. She began to write a letter to Fuji TV asking to be on the show to challenge an Iron Chef. When she won, she'd rub it into Ranma's face. Even Kasumi would be jealous. They'd see. They'd _all_ see...
*****
"You're going to be on what?" Ranma asked as Nabiki stared in stunned disbelief.
"I'm going to be on TV. I'm going to be the challenger on Iron Chef" Akane said.
"You can't be serious. Those guys have trained for years and years and are master chefs. You can't even toast bread! How do you expect to beat these guys???" Ranma asked, somewhat surprised he hadn't been malleted by this point.
"You just watch Ranma. I'm going to win. And when I do, I'm going to make you take back all the bad things you've said about my cooking." Akane said.
Ranma just looked at Nabiki, too astonished to reply. Nabiki shrugged her shoulders.
"Well," Ranma said, "good luck."
Akane blinked in surprise. Ranma was only rarely this nice to her. She smiled and thanked Ranma. Of course, she didn't know Ranma, for once, had the foresight not to finish his sentence. In this instance, he was going to say "you're going to need it like a man lost in a desert needs water" before he thought better of it.
*****
Several weeks later, Ranma came in to find Nabiki and Genma in front of the TV to watch Akane in action.
"Has it started yet?" asked Ranma.
"It's just about to," Nabiki replied. "Oh, quiet! Here it is."
*****
(The TV screen is black. Then text appears in white. The text says "'Tell me what you eat, and I'll tell you what you are.' - Brillat-Savarin")
(Scene changes to the Kitchen Stadium with the lights dimmed)
Fukui: Five years ago, a man's fantasy became reality in a form never seen before, a giant cooking arena: the Kitchen Stadium.
(Scene changes to Kaga in his study, first contemplating and then suddenly eating a dumpling)
Fukui: The motivation for spending his fortune to create Kitchen Stadium was to encounter new, original cuisines, which could be called true artistic creations.
(Scene shifts to Kaga in the Kitchen Stadium)
Kaga: Allez cuisine!
(Music from the movie Glory begins as the scene shifts to the Iron Chefs rising from the floor of the Kitchen Stadium, then going in for closeups of each of the Iron Chefs as their names are spoken)
Fukui: To realize his dream, he first secretly started selecting the top chefs of various styles of cooking. And he named his men the Iron Chefs. The invincible men of culinary skills. Iron Chef Japanese is Masaharu Morimoto. Iron Chef French is Hiroyuki Sakai. Iron Chef Chinese is Chen Kenichi. And Masahiko Kobe is Iron Chef Italian.
(Scene shifts to shots of several past challengers entering the Kitchen Stadium, then to scenes from past battles, and finally showing a challenger celebrating his victory)
Fukui: The Kitchen Stadium is the arena where Iron Chefs await the challenges of master chefs from around the world. Both the Iron Chef and challenger have one hour to tackle the theme ingredient of the day. Using all their senses, skills, creativity, they are to prepare artistic dishes never tasted before. And if ever a challenger wins over the Iron Chef, he or she will gain the people's ovation and fame forever.
(Scene shifts to Kaga, alone in his Kitchen Stadium, enjoying a glass of red wine)
Fukui: Kitchen Stadium is the arena where you'll meet the master chefs from around the world and their artistic creations. What inspiration will today's challenger bring and how will the Iron Chef fight back. The heat will be on!
(Scene switches to the streets of Nerima. Kaga's voice is heard as pictures of Nerima, Furinkan High School, the Tendo Dojo, and later, the Tendo Dojo and Akane are alternately shown)
Kaga: If memory serves me right, Nerima Ward is the home to many of the most formidable martial artists in the world. In this environment, chefs must be especially strong. Chefs in Nerima must be prepared at a moments notice to use their cooking as a deadly weapon. However, at the same time, they must be prepared to a wide range of exotic ingredients, any of which could challenge them at a moments notice. Of course, the most important thing of all is how their cooking tastes. We are especially fortunate today to welcome to our Kitchen Stadium one of the most intimidating chefs Nerima has ever produced. Others quake in fear when they learn that she is in the kitchen. Her name, Akane Tendo, 16 years old. Though relatively young, she has studied martial arts all her life and has applied her knowledge in the kitchen to create an exciting cuisine she dubs "Tendo-no-ryori." Indeed, it is a testimony to her skill that, in spite of her youth, her abilities as a chef are known throughout Nerima and her name is now spoken in awe and fear. Sa,Tendo yo! Come to my Kitchen Stadium and show us your terrifying cooking techniques!
(Scene changes to Akane, in black and white)
Akane: I will defeat your Iron Chef!
(Scene shifts to Kaga stepping into the Kitchen Stadium, looking around in reverent awe. The camera shows close-ups of various details of the Kitchen Stadium, then shows Kaga's hand grasping a yellow bell pepper. The camera then shows Kaga bring the pepper up to his mouth, taking a large bite out of it, then looking at the camera with a goofy grin on his face as he chews. The camera pulls back more to show the Kitchen Stadium filled with a horde of chefs, all dressed identically, standing at attention. The music swells. Finally, the title of the show appears over a yellow background then cuts to commercial)
(After the commercial, the scene switches to the Kitchen Stadium. The audience applauds as Kaga enters. He holds up his hand and the audience falls silent)
Kaga: In this kitchen stadium today is one of the rising stars of the emerging culinary world of martial-arts cuisine. Please welcome the leader of this new cuisine, Akane Tendo!
(Akane enters the Kitchen Stadium to applause)
Fukui: The woman they call the most formidable chef in Nerima enters the Kitchen Stadium. A new legend may be created here today. And all of Nerima must surely be watching!
Kaga: Welcome. I understand you are extremely formidable in the culinary world. I must warn you, however, my Iron Chefs are also quite formidable themselves. Whoever you choose, it will be no easy task. And now, it is time to meet the Iron Chefs. I summon the Iron Chefs!
(The song from the movie, Glory, starts as the lights dim. The Iron Chefs rise from the floor of the Kitchen Stadium)
Kaga: It is time for you to choose the Iron Chef who you will face today. Who shall it be?
Akane: I choose Sakai-san.
Fukui: The young challenger from Nerima has chosen to bare her fangs in challenge to French Iron Chef Sakai! Sakai Hiroyuki incorporates Japanese kaiseki techniques into his French dishes. His delicate touch and magnificent arrangements have earned him the reputation as the Delacroix of the Japanese culinary world. Will he continue his winning ways even against a the champion of martial-arts cuisine? This will be a very important battle for him as an Iron Chef!
Kaga: Ah, autumn in Japan is a lovely thing. And as autumn weaves her spell upon the surface world, young chefs eagerly look to the bounties of the sea for renewed inspiration. And today, we have chosen a delicacy from the sea as our theme ingredient. And it is especially fitting for autumn. Today's theme is this!
(Kaga throws off the veil from the theme ingredient)
Kaga: Today's them is (dramatic pause) oysters.
Fukui: Today's battle will pit a formidable challenger from the birthplace of martial-arts cuisine against French Iron Chef Sakai. The challenger is a trailblazer that does not imitate anyone. How will she fare against an Iron Chef with such a delicate touch? Today's battle is sure to create a new kitchen stadium legend. As all of Nerima watches the gong of fate sounds!
Kaga: Allez cuisine! (The gong of fate sounds)
Fukui: All right, Battle Oyster has begun. The chefs have one hour to prepare dishes that best utilize the theme ingredient. Hattori, what sort of preparation techniques do you think we'll see today.
Hattori: Well, of course, you can always eat them raw. That is probably the most popular way of eating oysters. But of course, we probably won't see too many raw oyster dishes today.
Fukui: So how do you think they'll be cooked.
Hattori: Well, they can be sauteed or baked with other ingredients.
Fukui: All right. Now, I'd like to introduce our guests for today. Next to me is actress Niwa Fujitani. Welcome back, Fujitani-san.
Fujitani: Thank you.
Fukui: Do you like oysters?
Fujitani: Oh, I love them. I especially like them raw.
Fukui: Oh? Why is that?
Fujitani: I like the way they feel sliding down my throat.
Fukui: Okaaay. Well, next to her is actor Hideki Takahashi.
Takahashi: Hello.
Fukui: What is your impression of the challenger, Takahashi-san?
Takahashi: Well, she seems very young, but she must be very skilled if she is the best chef in Nerima. Nerima is a very large ward of Tokyo, after all.
Fukui: Yes, you must be right. And finally, at the end is Yukio Hattori.
Hattori: Glad to be here!
Ota: Fukui-san!
Fukui: Yes, Ota.
Ota: I've just spoken to the challenger and asked her about today's theme. She says that she has never cooked oysters before, and has only ever eaten them raw, so she is disappointed that Kaga has handicapped her in this way. But she says she will give it her best shot.
Fukui: Okay. Thanks, Ota! And I see the challenger isn't letting her disappointment show as she moves confidently through the kitchen. Hattori, she appears to be very comfortable in spite of the fact this is her first time in the Kitchen Stadium.
Hattori: Yes. And look what she's doing here.
Fukui: What is that?
Hattori: It lookes like she's put some oil in the pan and is frying some peppers.
Ota: Fukui-san.
Fukui: Take it.
Ota: Sorry for interrupting, but the challenger has coconut oil in this pan, and she's put in shallots, curry powder, chilli powder, salt, pepper, chopped macadamia nuts and jalapenos.
Fukui: Jalapenos? This sounds like it's going to be a spicy dish, Hattori.
Hattori: Yes, especially with the curry powder and chilli powder.
Fukui: Do oysters hold up well with strong spicing?
Hattori: Well, normally, I'd say no, but it depends on the dish. We'll have to see what she does with it.
Fukui: I see.
Fujitani: Oh, look! Ice cream!
Fukui: Ice cream?
Hattori: Yes, the Iron Chef is pouring cream and other ingredients into the ice cream maker.
Fukui: Are there oysters in it?
Hattori: I don't know for sure. I saw him put in some of the juice from the oysters into the cream though.
PA: 45 minutes to go.
Ota: Fukui-san!
Fukui: Yes, Ota?
Ota: On the Iron Chef's side, he's put oysters into a puree of papaya and mango.
Fukui: Papaya and Mango?
Fujitani: Ooh! It sounds delicious!
Hattori: Yeah, it looks like he's marinating it. He's probably going to steam them.
Fukui: Well, that technique doesn't seem to be very Japanese. Oh, hey, what's the challenger doing now?
Hattori: It looks like she's deep-frying something.
Fukui: Are those oysters?
Ota: Fukui-san! Yes, those are oysters.
Fukui: Whoa! How about that?
Takahashi: I've never heard of anyone deep-frying oysters...
Fujitani: Neither have I.
Fukui: Well, Hattori, what do you think about that?
Hattori: Well, it seems strange. But, you know, it could work. It'll give the outside a fairly crunchy texture while the inside will probably still be a little raw. This could be pretty good.
Fukui: Well, we'll all find out at the tasting.
Ota: Fukui-san!
Fukui: Go!
Ota: The challenger isn't the only one using a deep fryer here. The Iron Chef has cut foie gras into strips and is deep frying them in this pot.
Takahashi: Wow!
Fukui: Boy, that's a real diet buster there. What do you think this is going to be used for, Hattori?
Hattori: I have no idea. Sorry.
Fukui: Well, both the Iron Chef and challenger seem to be using unorthodox methods. Now, is that milk the challenger has going in her pot? What's that in the milk?
Hattori: Actually, that's cream in the pot, and she's put some kind of dried fruit in there.
Fukui: Dried fruit?
Ota: Fukui-san!
Fukui: Yes?
Ota: You're absolutely right. The challenger has cream in this pot and she's put dried apricots in with the cream.
Fukui: Okay, you were right, Hattori. But why is she doing that?
Hattori: Well, by stewing the dried apricots, she's partially reconstituting them. Thus, they'll have a more tender texture.
Fukui: But how's she going to use oysters in this dish?
Hattori: I don't know yet (laughs). Hey, here you are! She's putting the oysters into the cream with the apricots.
Fujitani: Oh, this looks so good! I can't wait to try it!
Fukui: Well, it'll certainly be a first for me. Oysters and apricots. Hattori, that's not a combination I would have ever imagined. The challenger certainly is creative. How do you think this will taste?
Hattori: (laughs) I'm not sure I want to know. It certainly is unusual.
PA: 30 minutes to go.
Fukui: Hey, is the challenger putting cream in with the jalapeno mixture? No, that's coconut milk, isn't it.
Hattori: Well, if you remember, she used coconut oil to fry the jalapenos, so this might go well with it.
Takahashi: It seems a little odd, though, doesn't it? And she's going to put oysters in it?
Ota: Fukui-san!
Fukui: Take it.
Ota: I'm in the box here with Soun Tendo, the challenger's father. He told me that he was very proud of his daughter and was sure she would give this her best shot. Also here is the challenger's older sister, Kasumi. When I asked Kasumi how much she was looking forward to tasting the product of her sister's culinary wizardry, she said "Oh my!"
Fukui: I see. Thanks, Ota.
Takahashi: What's the challenger doing now?
Hattori: Those look like shiso leaves.
Fujitani: Oh, I see.
Fukui: And what's she going to do with these, Hattori?
Hattori: I think she'll steam them.
Fukui: Hattori, you are on a roll. She's putting them into the steamer right now.
Ota: Fukui-san!
Fukui: Go!
Ota: In this pot the Iron Chef has made a cream sauce. Into this sauce he has just added oysters.
Fukui: Okay, Ota. Thanks!
PA: 15 minutes to go.
Hattori: And now the Iron Chef has got the foie gras, see, and he's putting it with oysters.
Fukui: Is that seaweed?
Fujitani: Seaweed!
Hattori: Yeah, and, see, he's rolling the oysters and foie gras in the seaweed.
Fukui: And he'll steam this?
Hattori: I think so. No, wait. He's putting it in the oven.
Fukui: So he's grilling it.
Hattori: It looks that way.
Fukui: And now, the challenger. What are those, Hattori?
Hattori: Those appear to be crepes.
Fukui: Crepes? Wow. Using French techniques like that, she's stealing a page from Sakai's book. (The rest of the panel laughs)
PA: 5 minutes to go.
Ota: Fukui-san!
Fukui: Yes, Ota?
Ota: I've just asked the Iron Chef how he's doing and he told me to get out of the way! He's putting in a lot of effort into this one.
Fukui: Yes, the Iron Chef is scrambling to complete his dishes, and it looks like he's also scrambling some eggs.
Hattori: Yes, and he's put oysters in with the eggs.
Fukui: How will that taste?
Hattori: I don't know, but we'll find out in a few minutes!
Fukui: Right you are, Hattori. And the challenger is rushing to finish, too. Both she and the Iron Chef have broken a sweat in this battle!
Ota: Fukui-san!
Fukui: Yes?
Ota: A tense situation has arisen for the challenger. Do you remember the oysters that she deep fried? Well, she has put them and some matsutake mushrooms in a tureen. However, in the heat of the battle she has forgotten to put the aspic into the tureen as she intended. As you can see from this replay, one of her helpers has poured the aspic into the tureen and has put the tureen into the freezer in a desperate attempt to have the aspic set in the last few minutes.
Fukui: Well, the challenger is resorting to desperate measures, Hattori. Do you think this will work?
Hattori: I don't know. I've never tried it, but I would worry about freezing the aspic rather than having the gelatin set.
Fukui: But do you think it will freeze in just a few minutes?
Hattori: Well, maybe not. You could be right.
PA: One minute to go.
Fukui: And we're down to the last minute. The Iron Chef has put the oysters with the papaya and mango on plates and now is putting some sort of sauce on them.
Ota: Fukui-san! Sorry for interrupting, but this sauce is made with wasabi.
Fukui: Wasabi? Won't that be rather strong?
Hattori: I would think so.
PA: 30 seconds to go.
Fukui: The challenger is putting the final touches on her creations. And now we hear shouts of encouragement from the audience.
PA: 15 seconds to go.
Hattori: It looks like the Iron Chef is done.
Fukui: And so is the challenger.
PA: 10 seconds to go.
Fukui: He's making his final check.
PA: 5 seconds to go.
Fukui: Both chefs are covered with perspiration.
PA: 3... 2...1.
Fukui: This battle is ovaaaa!
******
Interview with Akane
Ota: How was the battle?
Akane: It's hard to get it the way you'd like to do it. I'm not used to this kitchen stadium, and the time goes fast.
Ota: How are your dishes.
Akane: Well, the aspic one didn't set as I'd like, but I'm happy overall.
Ota: Can you win?
Akane: Oh, I'll win.
Interview with Sakai
Ota: How did it go?
Sakai: Very well. I won't lose today. All the judges today like
strong-tasting dishes, so I kept that in mind as I cooked.
Ota: Are you confident?
Sakai: No problem.
Ota: Can you win?
Sakai: Sure!
*****
(Scene of a table set with Akane's dishes. As each dish is described, the shows a close-up of the dish)
Fukui: The challenger has made five dishes. The first dish is an oyster-mushroom tureen. The delicate flavor of the mushrooms highlights the oysters in this dish, and the aspic brings it all together. Second is oysters stewed with apricots. The cream accents the other ingredients in just the right way. Third is oysters steamed in shiso leaves. A simple yet elegant dish. Fourth is an oyster curry, the challenger's key dish. The macademia nuts help moderate the heat of the jalapeno peppers in this dish. Finally, for dessert, the challenger presents oyster-stuffed crepes. These crepes are served with a delightful caramel sauce. We'll have to wait to find out the judge's reaction to this unusual dish.
(Scene changes to a table set with the Iron Chef's dishes. As each dish is described, the shows a close-up of the dish)
Fukui: The Iron Chef responds with five dishes of his own. First is oyster and foie gras wrapped in seaweed. The fattiness of the foie gras compliments the oyster in this dish. Second is oysters marinated in papaya and mango. Served with scallops and turnips, this dish is highlighted with a wonderful wasabi sauce. Third is oysters and scrambled eggs, topped with a cream-based oyster sauce. The cream is the ingredient that brings this dish together. Fourth is an oyster salad tossed with olive oil. This dish is topped with caviar to add additional saltiness and texture. Finally, the Iron Chef presents oyster ice cream.
*****
Fukui: Now for the tasting. The judges are photographer Tenmei Kano, actress Niwa Fujitani, actor Hideki Takahashi, and food critic Asako Kishi. First the challenger's dishes are tasted.
(Deep Fried Oysters and Mushrooms in Aspic)
Akane: This didn't turn out like I had hoped.
Takahashi: Still, it didn't turn out too bad.
Kishi: I agree. The flavor is all right, even if the aspic isn't set.
(Oyster and Apricot Cream Stew)
Kaga: Well, what do you think.
Kano: Uh, no offense, but this is really nasty. The saltiness of the oysters doesn't match with the overall sweetness of this dish at all. (Akane begins to glow blue) Uh, what are you doing? (Kano dropsweats at the sudden appearance of a rather large mallet)
Kishi: Yes, I think the challenger has, perhaps, overextended herself somewhat with this dish. She has tried to be too creative and original, and it didn't quite work.
Fujitani: Oh, but I like this dish!
(Oyster Curry with Macadamia Nuts and Jalapeno Peppers)
Takahashi: Aaaargh!!!
Kano: Man, this is hot!
Fujitani: Yes, this is a little hot for my tastes.
Kishi: I can't tell whether the inherent flavor is good or bad. This dish is so spicy I can't taste anything else at all.
Kano: Hey, I need some more water here.
Kaga: Say, is Takahashi-san all right?
Kishi: No, I think he's fainted...
(Oyster Crepe with Caramel Sauce)
Fujitani: Oh, this is wonderful! I feel like I'm in heaven! I'm on a cloud, looking down... Why is everyone staring at me. Am I drunk?
Kaga: I don't think it's the wine. (Everyone laughs)
(Conclusion. We note that Takahashi is no longer in his chair)
Kano: Well, in one sense, it's admirable that the challenger has thrown out all the rules and tried to blaze a new path, but, to me, the taste just wasn't there. I really didn't particularly care for any of her dishes. In fact, I don't think I'd ever eat her cooking again.
(Akane appears to be on the verge of tears)
Kishi: I agree. The shiso leaf wrapped oysters were okay, and the tureen was passable, even if it didn't set. But the rest were totally inedible.
Fujitani: Oh, but I liked her dishes. Well, the curry was too much for me, but I enjoyed the rest of her dishes.
Kishi: Well, perhaps, but I think they've got to be an acquired taste.
Fukui: Now for the Iron Chef's dishes.
(Seaweed wrapped baked oyster and foie gras. We note that Takahashi is still absent. Sakai is mopping his brow)
Kano: Wow, this is really good! When I saw him deep frying the foie gras I thought this would be too fatty. But I really like it.
Kishi: Yes, this one turned out perfectly.
(Papaya and mango marinated oyster with scallop and turnip in a wasabi sauce. Sakai has taken off his hat and is wiping his brow with it)
Kaga: This certainly is an unusual dish.
Kano: Yes, but I have to admit I rather like it. The sauce is wonderful with this dish.
Kishi: The sharpness of the wasabi cuts through the sweetness of the marinade, even as the marinade moderates the strong flavor of the wasabi. This is very good.
(Oyster and scrambled egg with a cream based oyster sauce. Sakai is wringing out his hat)
Fujitani: Ooh, yummy!
Kano: This one is a little rich, but it does taste good. He's certainly shown me why he's the Iron Chef.
(Conclusion)
Kano: All of the Iron Chef's dishes were excellent.
Kishi: Yes, but all of the dishes were strongly flavored. I would have preferred one or two dishes with a more muted flavor.
*****
Fukui: Now for the judging.
Kaga: Our challenger prepared some extremely exotic dishes today. I will now announce the results.
Fukui: Today's oyster battle was a monumental one. All of Nerima must be waiting eagerly for the result. What will be the outcome? Who will be the victor? The Iron Chef or the challenger?
Kaga: Iron Chef Hiroyuki Sakai!
Fukui: The Iron Chef has won! Hiroyuki Sakai has successfully held off the challenge of the most feared chef in Nerima! Here come the numbers:
(The scores appear on the screen:
Judge: Kano Fujitani Takahashi Kishi
Tendo: 7 19 n/a 6
Sakai: 16 20 n/a 19)
Fukui: It was a unanimous vote with Takahashi absenting himself due to his urgent hospitalization. Iron Chef Sakai can breath a huge sigh of relief as he has demonstrated yet again why he is the Iron Chef.
(Show closes with a shot of Sakai wiping his brow in relief)
*****
Back at the Tendo household, Ranma and Nabiki bear remarkably large
sweatdrops...
******************
The End
******************
End Notes: I borrowed much of the introduction from the transcription of Battle Lobster posted on ironchef.com in order to be as accurate as possible. Also, _all_ of the people in this fic, except for those from the cast of Ranma 1/2, are real people. Not one of the names is made up. Sakai is an actual iron chef, and the judges are all people who have appeared as judges on Iron Chef. Also, all of the dishes that the Iron Chef prepared are based on actual dishes or use actual techniques that have appeared on Iron Chef. You may have thought I was kidding about deep-frying foie gras or the oyster ice cream, but I have personally seen the Iron Chef deep fry foie gras (though it was a different iron chef, not Sakai), and I have read about how Sakai once made shirako ice cream. Shirako, in case you don't know, is the Japanese word for a fish's sperm sac. I am not making this up. There was actually a Battle Shirako (and I thank God I wasn't a judge at that one). And, no, I understand the judges did _not_ particularly appreciate this flavor of ice cream. Akane's creations are my own imagination. No, I have not tried cooking them. No, I don't intend to, and would strongly discourage any of you from trying to duplicate any of the dishes you read about in this fic. Also, I directly lifted Fujitani's reaction to the dessert from her reaction to the asparagus bavarian cream because, frankly, that was one of my favorite moments in Iron Chef.
Incidentally, in the English translations of Tenchi Muyo, there was a sort-of spoof/reference to Iron Chef in one of the recent issues. It was the issue where Sasami competed with a boy in a cooking contest.
Well, I hope you enjoyed it. Let me know if you have any comments or suggestions.