'Iron Chef' UK details revealed

Channel 4 has confirmed the details of the UK version of cult cookery show Iron Chef.

The programme, which originated in Japan, airs on the Food Network in the US. Jamie Oliver famously appeared as a competitor on the American series.

The UK version will be hosted by Saturday Kitchen wine expert Olly Smith, with Ready Steady Cook star and Michelin chef Nick Nairns as his co-commentator.

Tom Aikens, Martin Blunos, Sanjay Dwivedi and Judy Joo have been unveiled as the four Iron Chefs.

Aikens became the youngest ever chef to earn two Michelin stars at 26, while Blunos is the founder of the famous Restaurant Lettonie. Delhi-born Dwivedi has toured with the Rolling Stones and Korean chef Joo worked with Gordon Ramsay for two years.

The show features teams of culinary challengers taking on the Iron Chefs in high-energy cook-offs. It is held in Kitchen Stadium and presided over by a mysterious figure called The Chairman. In each episode, the contestants are given a 'Special Ingredient' by the Chairman, which must be central to their dish. The items can vary from aubergine, mince or cauliflowers to octopus.

The programme will air across the week, with the best competitor and best Iron Chef battling it out on the Friday show for a £1,000 prize.

Iron Chef will air on Channel 4 later this year.