Staged like a sporting event, the world's top chefs race against the clock to create outstanding original cuisine. A Challenger is sent into the Chairman's "Kitchen Stadium," a giant cooking arena, where he or she competes against one of four Iron Chefs who specialize in American, Italian, French or Asian cooking. The competing chefs are given one hour to prepare an exotic meal in which each course must feature a secret ingredient that is revealed only moments before the battle begins. A panel of four celebrity judges taste and critique the food before determing whose cuisine will reign supreme. Based on format rights of Japan's Fuji TV. Taped at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.