What's in The Next Iron Chef Kitchen?

chef falkner at the pantry

NIC4 Episode 1 Chairman's Challenge

Rival-Chef Elizabeth Falkner looking through pantries in Episode 1 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.

Behind the scenes on the Next Iron Chef, Food Network’s culinary production team is responsible for making sure that the rival chefs have everything they need to cook and present their dishes, from a stocked pantry to plenty of serving vessels. The Concession Challenge was the first that took place on set at the Next Iron Chef kitchen, so we asked the culinary team for an insider’s look at what was at the chefs’ disposal there.

How many pots and pans are on set for the competing chefs to cook with?

180. There were also 110 mixing bowls.

How many plates, bowls, glasses and accessories were provided for plating?

1,072
plates in the next iron chef kitchen

NIC4 Episode 4 Secret Ingredient Showdown

Various dishes in the Kitchen Arena in Episode 4 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.

3. How many different varieties of flour were offered in the pantry?

11 varieties: all-purpose flour, rice flour, cake flour, whole-wheat flour, 00 flour, semolina, almond flour, chickpea flour, buckwheat flour, hazelnut flour and chestnut flour

How many different grains?

Seven: Barley, bulgar, spelt, farro, cous cous, quinoa and wheatberries

How many different varieties of rice?

Eight: White, brown, wild, Arborio, sushi, jasmine, Chinese black rice and purple sticky rice

How many different nut varieties?

12: Hazelnuts, peanuts, whole unblanched almonds, marcona almonds, macadamia nuts, cashews, pistachios, pine nuts, pecans, walnuts, pepitas and sunflower seeds

chefs at the concession stand challenge

NIC4 Episode 3 Chairman's Challenge

Rival-Chef Anne Burrell, Rival-Chef Elizabeth Falkner, Rival-Chef Alex Guarnaschelli, Rival-Chef Geoffrey Zakarian, Rival-Chef Chuck Hughes, Rival-Chef Michael Chiarello, Rival-Chef Beau MacMillan and Rival-Chef Marcus Samuelsson grabbing their snacks for cooking with in the Chairman's Challenge "Movie Snacks" 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.

How much candy was purchased for the Concession Challenge?

30 boxes cinnamon candy
48 pounds chocolate-covered raisins
4 flats of chocolate-covered malt balls
180 bags sweet and sour candies
20 pounds gummy bears
20 liters root beer
30 pounds chocolate-covered caramels
8 large bags popped popcorn

More behind-the-scenes extras from Super Chefs, episode 3:

Next Up

Are Butter Boards the Next Big Thing?

TikTok is definitely trying to make them happen.

5 Secret Ingredients That’ll Take Your Chili to the Next Level

Most of them are probably in your kitchen right now.

High-Iron Recipes

Many folks discover they have iron-deficiency — a condition which can result from not eating enough foods that contain iron. If you’re looking to pump up your iron, here are 5 recipes to help you do so.

How Much Iron Does Cast Iron Cookware Add to Your Food?

Cooking with cast iron can up the amount of iron found in your food. Here's how much iron you may be adding to your diet by cooking with cast iron pans.

How to Season a Cast Iron Skillet

And what does it mean to season cast iron, anyway?

How to Clean a Cast-Iron Skillet

We tested whether you can use soap.