The Most Impressive Winning Dishes on Iron Chef Canada

Posted on November 6, 2019 by Amber Dowling

Sure, it’s an honour just to enter Kitchen Stadium and face off against one of the seasoned Iron Chefs. But isn’t it also an honour to cook with some of the most delicious ingredients the country has to offer? Here we break down each Iron Chef Canada battle to date, and which delicious use of ingredients catapulted these chefs to a win.

1 of 20

Battle Maple

Is there any ingredient more Canadian than <a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/shows/iron-chef-canada/blog/why-maple-syrup-is-the-perfect-secret-ingredient-to-kick-off-iron-chef-canada/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">maple</a>? The maple leaf is on our flag, after all. So it’s no wonder that Iron Chef Lynn Crawford fully embraced the sweet stuff <a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/shows/iron-chef-canada/video/episode/battle-maple/video.html?v=1347443779647" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">in her battle against Marc Lepine</a>, infusing a variety of breakfast-themed dishes with her maple know-how. Maple… making breakfast meats better since forever.
2 of 20

Battle Stone Fruit

We often think of fruit—especially <a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/shows/iron-chef-canada/video/episode/battle-stone-fruit/video.html?v=1351842371628" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">stone fruit</a> like peaches and plums—as an ingredient for dessert. But as Iron Chef Rob Feenie proved in his takedown of challenger chef Ned Bell, stone fruit is a versatile and delicious addition to any meal. And yes, that includes in an appetizer of delicately sliced white fish.
3 of 20

Battle Bitter Greens

Does anyone really want to eat something with the word “bitter” in it? Why yes, yes they do… at least when it’s prepared by culinary geniuses. Iron Chef Susur Lee only narrowly edged out challenger Nick Liu for the win in <a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/shows/iron-chef-canada/video/episode/battle-bitter-greens/video.html?v=1358078531984" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">this battle</a>, but in the end Lee’s plating and use of the episode’s curveball ingredient, canned pumpkin, propelled him to a not-so-bitter win.
4 of 20

Battle Tomatoes

Tomatoes are so much more than pasta sauce, which Iron Chef Hugh Acheson and challenger Alex Chen proved in <a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/shows/iron-chef-canada/video/episode/battle-tomato/video.html?v=1364070979680" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">a close battle with the fruit</a>. In the end, Chen’s brilliant techniques (not to mention savoury lace tuilles) bested Acheson’s dishes and catapulted him to the victory, but both chefs left us hungry for more.
5 of 20

Battle Cauliflower

We’re not sure when <a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/everyday-cooking/photos/best-cauliflower-recipes/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">cauliflower </a>became all the things, but given how often it surfaces as a carb substitute these days we were pumped to see how plant-based Iron Chef Amanda Cohen and challenger Rene Rodriguez planned to incorporate the secret ingredient in their dishes. Turns out sometimes letting <a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/shows/iron-chef-canada/video/episode/battle-cauliflower/video.html?v=1370269251984" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">cauliflower </a>speak for itself and not hiding it as a pizza crust or as rice is the winning ticket, as Cohen showcased with this win.
6 of 20

Battle Venison

When the colder months hit, <a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/shows/iron-chef-canada/video/episode/battle-venison/video.html?v=1376867907533" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">venison </a>is the ultimate Canadian game meat. As it turns out there are myriad ways to enjoy it too, which Iron Chef Lynn Crawford and challenger Jason Bangerter were intent on proving in this battle. In the end it was Bangerter’s originality and beautiful plating that helped secure him the big W.
7 of 20

Battle Bivalves

The term “bivalve” doesn’t exactly sound sexy, but oysters are an aphrodisiac. So we were all-in on this battle between Iron Chef Rob Feenie and challenger John Horne. But while Horne got off to a great start with his first dish, Feenie eventually won over the judges in <a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/shows/iron-chef-canada/video/episode/battle-bivalves/video.html?v=1384085571832" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Battle Bivalves</a> with his creative plates and impeccable taste. Never before have we wanted to rip food out of our screens and taste it so badly.
8 of 20

Battle Pork

<a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/everyday-cooking/photos/most-popular-pork-recipes/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Pork </a>may seem like a versatile ingredient, but sometimes it’s the most versatile ingredients that trip up the best of chefs. Challenger Danny “Smiles” Francis and Iron Chef Susur Lee were certainly up for the challenge <a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/shows/iron-chef-canada/video/episode/battle-pork/video.html?v=1390353475510" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">in this epic battle</a>, which wound up being one of the closest in Kitchen Stadium history: Francis and his refined dishes only beat Lee by one single point.
9 of 20

Battle Nutcracker Sweet

There’s nothing more festive than an <a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/shows/iron-chef-canada/video/episode/battle-nutcracker-sweet/video.html?v=1395870275534" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">epic holiday showdown</a>, especially one that features a new Iron Chef. <a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/shows/iron-chef-canada/blog/meet-canadas-newest-iron-chef-anna-olson-and-enter-to-win-her-new-cookbook/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Anna Olson</a> surprised us all by joining the wall of culinary masterminds and besting challenger Laura White in her first Kitchen Stadium battle. When holiday treats are on the line, we expect nothing less from our Pastry Queen.
10 of 20

Battle Arctic Char

Some thumb their noses at what’s often perceived as a runner-up to <a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/everyday-cooking/photos/best-salmon-fillet-recipes/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">salmon</a>, but <a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/shows/iron-chef-canada/video/episode/battle-arctic-char/video.html?v=1401996867627" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">arctic char</a> is one delicious fish. In this battle, Iron Chef Hugh Acheson and challenger Brandon Olsen both played with textures and plating to highlight the fish’s delicate flavours, but in the end it was the Iron Chef who showcased the ingredient best.
11 of 20

Battle Offal

Today’s culinary world embraces nose-to-tail cooking, so it was only a matter of time before <a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/shows/iron-chef-canada/video/episode/battle-offal/video.html?v=FOOD0055690520000100" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">offal (organ meats) made their way into Kitchen Stadium</a>. The ingredient may not be everyone’s first choice of protein, but challenger Stefan Hartmann and episodic winner, Iron Chef Susur Lee, certainly made it look appetizing with their brilliant plating.
12 of 20

Battle Trout

Challenger Shane Chartrand was swimming upstream <a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/shows/iron-chef-canada/video/episode/battle-trout/video.html?v=FOOD0055690530000100" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">in this battle</a> against Iron Chef Lynn Crawford. Her saliva-inducing trout dishes were deemed the best of the best by the judges, who undoubtedly appreciated her ability to mix proteins on the plate for the ultimate elevated <a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/comfort-food/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">comfort food</a>.
13 of 20

Battle Goat

Most of us are familiar with roasted goat or curry, but Iron Chef Hugh Acheson and challenger Nick Hodge reimagined the ingredient in new and delicious ways in this <a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/shows/iron-chef-canada/video/episode/battle-goat/video.html?v=FOOD0055690540000100" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">delectable battle</a>. In the end it was Hodge’s masterful taste and plating that propelled him to a win, leaving us all wanting at least a mere morsel of his yummy dishes.
14 of 20

Battle Eggs

<a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/everyday-cooking/photos/creative-ways-to-cook-eggs/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Eggs </a>are probably one of the most versatile and affordable proteins around, which makes them great for vegetarian dishes. Iron Chef Amanda Cohen certainly yoked them up in her win in <a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/shows/iron-chef-canada/video/episode/battle-egg/video.html?v=FOOD0055690550000300" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Battle Egg</a> against challenger Duncan Ly, reminding us all that <a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/everyday-cooking/photos/tasty-egg-recipes-dinner/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">eggs are so much more than a breakfast food</a>.
15 of 20

Battle Cheddar Cheese

There are few things that aren’t made better with <a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/comfort-food/photos/top-recipes-for-cheese-lovers/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">cheese</a>. So when we heard Iron Chef Rob Feenie was taking on former Top Chef Canada contestant Ivana Raca in a <a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/shows/iron-chef-canada/video/episode/battle-cheddar/video.html?v=FOOD0055690560000100" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">cheddar cheese battle</a>, we were gouda excited. Overall Feenie’s originality, plating, and use of the icewine curveball ingredient landed him the win, but we were definitely left saying “cheese please!” after seeing both of these chefs’ dishes.
16 of 20

Battle Tiny Fish

<a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/shows/iron-chef-canada/video/episode/battle-tiny-fish/video.html?v=FOOD0055690570000100" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Tiny fish</a> deliver big taste; just ask Iron Chef Susur Lee or challenger Paul Boehmer. Lee’s winning dishes were packed with flavour tighter than a can of sardines, and made us rethink the often overlooked fish in a whole new way. How else would you describe this delectable and delicate looking tartare? Move over <a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/everyday-cooking/photos/11-creative-ways-to-use-canned-tuna/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">canned tuna</a>, there’s a tiny new competitor in our pantries.
17 of 20

Battle Bacon

How do you say no to an array of bacon-infused dishes in Kitchen Stadium? You don’t—not when Iron Chef Lynn Crawford delivered such masterful, winning dishes against challenger Scott Vivian in <a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/shows/iron-chef-canada/video/episode/battle-bacon/video.html?v=FOOD0055690580000100" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Battle Bacon</a>. Although let’s be honest—we rarely pass up an opportunity to munch on the salty, fatty food outside of Iron Chef Canada either.
18 of 20

Battle Squash

<a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/in-season/photos/32-brilliant-ways-to-use-butternut-squash/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Squash </a>can be a tough ingredient to work with. Sure it’s flavourful, but it turns soggy pretty quickly when it’s not handled with care. Challenger Jonathan Gushue was well aware of the gourd’s potential downfalls and managed to deliver tasty dishes, but in the end they couldn’t quite beat Iron Chef Amanda Cohen’s originality and textures in <a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/shows/iron-chef-canada/video/episode/battle-squash/video.html?v=FOOD0055690590000100" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Battle Squash</a>.
19 of 20

Battle Beef

There are so many ways to enjoy <a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/everyday-cooking/photos/most-popular-beef-recipes/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">beef</a>, so we imagine it must have been quite the feat for Iron Chef Rob Feenie and challenger Fisun Ercan to narrow down their dishes for this <a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/shows/iron-chef-canada/video/episode/battle-beef/video.html?v=FOOD0055690600000100" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">battle</a>. What’s even more impressive is that while they each had a different approach, their plating and taste were so evenly executed that they resulted in Iron Chef Canada’s first-ever tie.
20 of 20

Battle Crab

It was an old-school battle between Iron Chef Susur Lee and his long-time friend Chef Pino Posteraro when <a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/shows/iron-chef-canada/video/episode/battle-crab/video.html?v=FOOD0055690610000100" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">crabs were introduced in Kitchen Stadium</a>, and both men got cracking. But while all of the dishes were innovative and showcased some creative uses of the beloved crustacean, it was the Iron Chef who reigned supreme and won over the judges’ palates in the end.
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