I get all confused with Sakai. Hes Iron Chef French... but they never do anything within his realm of expertise. The judges are all Members of the Diet, actors, a food critics ... all Japanese. If they were fed true Western cuisine they would poo poo it. I remember that he keeps having to wonk up his dishes with hot oils and bean pastes to placate the palate of the judges ... its a waste.
I've also never seen the Chef Italian called out... ever.