Chatting With the Latest Next Iron Chef: Super Chef Exile

chuck hughes beau macmillian

NIC4 Episode 3 Secret Ingredient Challenge

Rival-Chef Beau MacMillan and Rival-Chef Chuck Hughes in a head-to-head battle for the Secret Ingredient "Tofu" Showdown in Episode 3 as seen on Food Network Next Iron Chef Season 4.

Photo by: Edward Chen/Creel Films ©2011, Television Food Network, G.P.

Edward Chen/Creel Films, 2011, Television Food Network, G.P.

The fourth season of The Next Iron Chef: Super Chefs is in full swing, with 10 new chefs fighting it out for a grand prize that so many would-be chefs covet: joining the ranks of Iron Chefs Marc Forgione, Bobby Flay, Masaharu Morimoto, Cat Cora, Jose Garces and Michael Symon. Each chef will try to pull out all their tricks to stay in the competition but, ultimately, one chef must go home each week. Every Monday, FN Dish brings you exclusive exit interviews with the latest Super Chef to get the boot.

This week, popcorn seemed to do it in for Chuck Hughes and he found himself battling it out with Beau MacMillan in a sudden-death challenge.

FN Dish: Let's face it: Popcorn will always wind up between your teeth. If you had your way, which concession stand candy would you have picked?

CH: I was really pleased with popcorn, but I think it played against me.

FN Dish: Tofu: You've never worked with it or gone out of your way to eat it. Why?

CH: There are so many great foods out there. Why eat tofu?

FN Dish: Your tofu one-bite left a big impression on both Michael and Simon. If you had to do it again, would you put the sauce on the side?

CH: Absolutely. In the spur of the moment, I went for a one-bite wonder. It was my downfall.

FN Dish: Who do you think has the biggest competitive advantage out of the chefs left?

CH: Anne Burrell and Marcus Samuelsson because of their extensive knowledge of competition cooking.

FN Dish: I love watching Marcus' reactions when things start heating up in the kitchen. Is he the comedian of the bunch or is it you?

CH: It’s not Marcus and it’s not me. It’s the big Beau Mac — he’s the funniest guy I know!

FN Dish: How do you feel about Judy Joo's word, "foodgasm”?

CH: It makes me want to roll over and fall asleep (wink). Oh. I mean cuddle.

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