Iron Chef

Season 5, Episode 37

Episode Title: Kobe vs Imai Fujio (Matsutake Battle)

Air Date: 1997-10-03

Overview:

The challenger’s restaurant is often visited by Crown Prince Akihito, Princess Masako and Princess Kiko. He started his culinary training at the age of 15. He became a head chef at 24. The Chairman spent 1 million yen on the theme ingredient for these young chefs. (That’s a little over $12,000 now, about $8,200 back then.)