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Food Network US Premier:  August 18, 2002 @ 9PM ET

This special originally aired in Japan on April 12, 1996.

Chairman Takeshi Kaga travels to battle the great chefs of France witness as Iron Chef French #2 (Hiroyuki Sakai) and Iron Chef Japanese #2 (Koumei Nakamura) battle to defend the honor of Iron Chef and the Gourmet Academy.

This special show is filmed at The Chateau de Brissacs. The Kitchen Stadium has been set up inside one of the castle's stately rooms.

One of the challengers is famous French chef Bernard Leprince, the head chef of the famous Tour d`Argent, which was founded in 1582 has come for a battle. Bernal's restaurant has served many celebrities including several members of the Japanese royal family. Looking to an Iron Chef that is at a restaurant with a history, Nakamura steps forth. His restaurant, Nadaman, has been around since 1830.

The 2nd Challenger, Pierre Gagnaire,  restaurant is being forced to close down because the economy has made it difficult for people to travel out to his country-side location. Before he has to close his doors for good, Pierre will make a grand showing at an Iron Chef battle. The format is a bit different in that both chefs will have 24 hrs before the cooking begins to gather their ingredients from all over France. And with that, the two chefs are inside their horse drawn carriages and off to find their ingredients. They are to be back at the castle by 7pm the next day to cook.