I hope all of you have been tuning in to watch The Next Iron Chef on Food Network! The season is off to a great start--I was so happy to learn we were the highest rated premiere in the network's history!

It's so interesting for me to see how the filming gets edited down for TV time. While the judging lasts only a few minutes during an episode, the judging process takes two days of filming per challenge. The tasting is on one day and the deliberation and elimination happens the next day. This means my hair and makeup has to be duplicated exactly for continuity.

We taste everything and discuss the dishes in great length. The chefs work incredibly hard and the competition means so much to them--I never forget that. All the chefs are talented, so it really isn't easy to choose a winner or send someone home. There were definitely times when the voting was not unanimous, but majority ruled.

Taping the eliminations can last hours (even though it only lasts for a few seconds during the actual airing). All the contestants are standing together across from the judges' table and the staring contest begins. I have to do my best to avoid eye contact with them--they are all hoping to read something in the judges' eyes to determine whether they are safe or not.

The production team and crew are all so wonderful, and everyone works so hard to make it all happen. The wardrobe stylist, hair stylist and make-up artists are our saving grace--when you taste so many dishes each and every day, spills happen. If it weren't for our great team, Jeffrey, Anya and I would be in bad shape.

People often ask me if all the disagreements are real, and the answer is yes! We are all passionate, opinionated people. I think it's great that we debate every detail to determine whom the winner and loser should be. I really hope all of you enjoy the second season and look forward to initiating the next Iron Chef into Kitchen Stadium!

--Donatella

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