FOOD NETWORK'S 'NEXT IRON CHEF' PREMIERE HIGHEST-RATED, MOST-WATCHED IN NETWORK HISTORY

Sunday, Oct 4th Debut Tied as #1 Show in Cable; Most Recent Ratings Success for Top 10 Primetime Network

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Food Network's Sunday night premiere of The Next Iron Chef tied as the number one show in cable that evening and became the network's highest-rated, most-watched series premiere in its history. The show posted a 1.1 rating among adults 25-54 with over 2.1 million persons 2+ tuning in to the second season. The premiere was also up double digits 33 percent over the Season 1 debut (10/7/07).

The reality series, which challenges 10 top chefs from around the country in a series of demanding situations, testing their culinary skills and mental toughness, will award the top culinary distinction in the country the title of Iron Chef. Simultaneously, the network stalwart series, Iron Chef America, on which the new Iron Chef will appear, has posted record high ratings in its fifth year on Food Network.

Season Two of The Next Iron Chef will take the contestants from Los Angeles to Japan to New York to compete in the food fight of their professional lives. They will be challenged to create dishes that represent a variety of world cultures and cuisines. Whether working with exotic ingredients like jelly fish, creating their own version of international fast food or experiencing umami with sponsor Kikkoman, the chefs must demonstrate their speed, artistry, innovation and leadership in each dish. With the help of the judges Donatella Arpaia (acclaimed restaurateur and food expert, owner of Anthos, Mia Dona and Kefi), Jeffrey Steingarten (Food Critic, Vogue, New York, NY) and Anya Fernald (Sustainable Food Consultant, San Francisco, Calif.) the contestants will be narrowed down until two remain to battle it out in Kitchen Stadium and earn the right to be called Iron Chef. The winner will join the ranks of Mario Batali, Cat Cora, Bobby Flay, Masaharu Morimoto and Michael Symon and be launched into instant fame as a member of the Chairman's team on Iron Chef America.