Battle #1 – The first battle features a challenger nominated by Akimoto and Kenjo. The challenger works every day in a “mini Kitchen Stadium” as his family’s restaurant has no set menu and the dishes are decided by his father after talking with the customers. The restaurant, Banraien, is located 20 minutes from Oimachi Station in Tokyo. He will be taking on the man who appears to be the strongest of the new Iron Chefs, Iron Chef French Yosuke Suga. The theme is Tofu, an ingredient that you would think presents a huge advantage to the challenger. Battle #2 – The second battle features a challenger nominated by Iron Chef French Hiroyuki Sakai. The nominee works for Iron Chef Sakai at his La Rochelle restaurant. The challenger has worked for Sakai for many years, and obviously has great respect for him. He will take on an Iron Chef that faced his master as a challenger 18 years ago (223 – Sea Urchin – 6/17/1994). We also see an old familiar face with the return of frequent judge Asako Kishi. Battle #1 – Tofu – Iron Chef French Yosuke Suga vs. Hayato Nakano – 11/23/2012 Battle #2 – Madara (Cod) – Iron Chef French Yuji Wakiya vs. Toshiyuki Kudo – 11/23/2012