Iron Chef America’s 10 Best Celebrity Judges, Ranked

Iron Chef America is the American adaptation of Japan’s Iron Chef culinary competition. America’s version aired 15 years ago, debuting in 2005. The show is one of the most popular and well-known shows on the Food Network. Audiences fell in love with the giant kitchen – the Kitchen Stadium – the varying “secret ingredients’ announced at the start of each episode and, of course, the infamous host’s line, “Allez cuisine,” which translates to “To the kitchen!”

While there are talented, famous chefs seen competing, commentating and judging on Iron Chef America, there are also a handful of famous, talented celebrities that have made appearances on the hit show. We’ve ranked 10 of the best celebs that guest judged on Iron Chef America – proving that even the most popular celebrities love a good food competition show.

10 Anderson Cooper

Anderson Cooper has been a staple on CNN since 2003 and he then appeared on Iron Chef America just two years later in ’05. The famous broadcaster and TV journalist has been a well-known face for so many for almost two decades.

Being such a dedicated face of TV it comes as no surprise that Food Network had him on Iron Chef America in the first season no less. Food and cooking competitions are the last things people would associate with the famous CNN journalist, but it is nice for fans to see another side to Cooper.

9 Audra McDonald

For television fans, Audra is best known for her role in Private Practice – a spinoff of ABC’s hit show Grey’s Anatomy. The spinoff aired from 2007 to 2013, while Grey’s Anatomy still runs today.

Audra has done more than act in TV series though, she is a Tony award winner and has starred in many Broadway and Off-Broadway plays, including A Raisin In The Sun, A Streetcar Named Desire, and Sweeney Todd, to name a few popular ones. Audra appeared on Iron Chef America for a Halloween themed episode in Private Practice’s last year, but this was by no means Audra’s last career move.

8 Henry Winkler

The name on its own may not ring a bell for many younger people out there, but Henry Winkler will be forever known as “Fonzie” and is a TV icon from the classic series Happy Days, which ran from 1974 to 1984.

It is not easy to transition from a popular role and expand your career, and while fans have not seen Winkler in highly talked about roles, he has made appearances in some loved movies and shows, including The Waterboy, Arrested Development, Royal Pains and more. His appearance on Iron Chef America came in 2011 when he guest judged a Thanksgiving-themed battle.

7 Kathy Griffin

While appearing in some shows and having her own show My Life On The D-List, Griffin is predominately known for her comedy. When she appeared on Iron Chef America in 2011 for a Halloween episode, in which she guest judged with another popular face, Kelly Ripa.

The all-female panel with a comedian in the mix proved to be an amusing judgment, but maybe not the best choice of palates to critique an Iron Chef and a talented chef like Wong.

6 Joel McHale

Once Joel McHale’s name is said, the first thing most people think of is The Soup, which Joel hosted from 2004 to 2015. It had a very good run for a comedic, satirical show and essentially made fun of life and celebs. The show has had another host, but Joel McHale will always be the face of The Soup. 

Joel has managed to still keep busy while acting in the hit series Community from 2009 to 2015, and he made his appearance on Iron Chef America in 2007 before Iron Chef Mario Batali was fired from Food Network.

5 Laurence Fishburne

Laurence Fishburne is immediately recognizable as Morpheus from the movie franchise, The Matrix. When Fishburne appeared on Iron Chef America, he guest judged with his wife at the time, Gina Torres – a well-respected actress in her own right. Torres has been in many popular hits, like Alias, Suits, Firefly, and more.

Laurence has done more outside of the Matrix series, one of his more recent roles was in the John Wick films as the Bowery King. Laurence appeared on the Food Network hit series for a Thanksgiving food battle in 2013, and ironically the host of Iron Chef America is also in the John Wick series, and plays Zero.

4 Julie Chen

Julie Chen is the face of CBS series Big Brother, which began in 2000 and recently started its newest season. She also became one of the hosts of the daytime show The Talk back in 2010 and later left the show in 2018.

Julie Chen has many fans in the Big Brother community and appeared on Iron Chef America in 2007, like Joel McHale.

3 Chris Harrison

The Bachelor and The Bachelorette have been on ABC since 2002 and 2003 respectively. Eighteen years later, both shows are still hits with audiences who love a good reality TV show.

Chris appeared on Iron Chef America in 2009 for an eggnog themed battle in Kitchen Stadium. Chris Harrison is another “face” of a hit series that people just can’t help but binge every season of.

2 Tina Fey

Tina Fey is a name that is also a resume and no further explanations are required when someone says her name. She has starred in so many hit shows, including SNL, Parks & Rec, 30 Rock, and much more.

Tina Fey on the Food Network judging and critiquing people’s food sounds like a hit series all on its own and Fey fans got a glimpse of what such a series would look like when she guest judged in 2007 and got to judge four chefs.

1 Neil Patrick Harris

Another name that needs no introductions, so much so that he also goes by NPH, Neil is one of the most entertaining guest judges on Food Network. He appeared on Iron Chef America in 2013 and also appeared as a guest judge on Beat Bobby Flay. 

The best part about NPH on Iron Chef America was that he appeared as a judge alongside his husband, David Burtka, who is a professional chef, as well. Together, the two added food knowledge and comedic commentary.

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