Notable Judges
The result of a battle may be influenced by the lineup of judges, which changes from show to show. A list of some of the more notable judges includes:
(These names are not in the traditional East Asian style but have been written in standard western style .)
- Joël Robuchon, a famous French chef who was titled "Chef of the Century" by the guide Gault Millau.
- Akebono, Yokozuna
- Asako Kishi, aka the "East German Judge", a food critic and nutritionist. By far the most frequently appearing judge. She tasted the most dishes (after Kaga, of course) according to the 2000th Plate Special Episode.
- Shinichiro Kurimoto, member of the Japanese House of Representatives. According to the 2000th Plate Special Episode, Kurimoto has made the second highest number of appearances as a judge.
- Toshiki Kaifu, former Prime Minister of Japan.
- Tenmei Kanoh, photographer
- Yoko Akino, actress, who made several appearances
- Chua Lam, VP of Golden Harvest
- Kazuko Hosoki, popular fortune teller and holder of the World Record for Most Best-selling Books (81 books)
- Korn, a Japanese rap artist
- Tamio Kageyama, novelist (deceased)
- Yasushi Akimoto, lyricist and music producer (known in Japan for his involvement with the creation and production of idol groups Onyanko Club and AKB48).
- Kazuhiro Sasaki, baseball player (then with Yokohama BayStars, later with Seattle Mariners, still later returned to BayStars)
- Nagisa Oshima, film director
- Mayuko Takata, actress, wife of Taro Hakase, a violinist
- Julie Dreyfus, French actress, also fluent in Japanese and English. Notably refused to eat one dish prepared by Toshiro Kandagawa because it contained whale meat.
- Ryuichi Sakamoto, musician, composer, producer and actor
- Ukyo Katayama, former Formula One driver
- Shigesato Itoi, famous director, writer, producer and video game designer, creator of the Mother series.
- Masaaki Hirano, Rosanjin scholar
- Yoshiko Ishii, chanson singer, typically substituted for Asako Kishi when she was unable to appear.
- Ryutaro Hashimoto, former Prime Minister of Japan, judge for the final battle.
- Kazushige Nagashima, aka "Junior," former pro Baseball player and sports commentator
- Yukio Hatoyama, former Prime Minister of Japan (2009–10), appeared back when he was still a Lower House member. Featured in the Battle of Shanghai Cabbage.
- Yoshirō Mori, former Prime Minister of Japan (2000–01), appeared back when he was still a Lower House member. Featured in the Abalone Battle.
- Tim and Nina Zagat, The founders of the Zagat Survey. They appeared on the New York Battle.
Read more about this topic: Iron Chef
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“The World is not enough used to this way of writing, to the moment. It knows not that in the minutiae lie often the unfoldings of the Story, as well as of the heart; and judges of an action undecided, as if it were absolutely decided.”
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