iron chef
A theme ingredient (referred to as the "secret ingredient") is revealed, and the cooking
begins. On occasion, the theme ingredient is actually a 'theme meal'; for example, eggs,
bacon, potatoes, etc. are revealed and the "secret ingredient" is breakfast. Unlike Iron
Chef, where chefs had roughly 5 minutes to discuss their strategy before the battle begi
ns, the revealing of the theme ingredient occurs 15 minutes before the start of the battle. However, this segment is not shown on television, and it is common assumption that the battle starts immediately after the secret ingredient is revealed. This practice was described on an episode of Unwrapped.
