Morimoto's debut as an Iron Chef brings a difficult challenger: Yukio Hirayama.

Iron Chef Kobe and Mario Frittoli, who both learned from masters of Italian cuisine, will face off in this battle of broccoli.

Iron Chef Morimoto engages Challenger Masayoshi Kimura in this battle of rice.

Chef Sakai, known as the Iron Chef French, will have his hands full in this battle specially designed around Wedgwood China.

The challenger is a master chef hailing from Kyoto, he has the support of the former Iron Chef Michiba and Dr. Yatori.

The challengers is a seafood expert who chooses and masterfully cooks gifts from the sea, he has apprenticed in the top kitchens of Japan.