This is not an official network response, but my family members are all fans of the show. Mark Dacascos, the Chairman of Food Network's Iron Chef America, spent some time last season as a contestant on ABC network's Dancing with the Stars and a few other projects. He was unable to film Iron Chef at the same time and so show host Alton Brown filled in during his absence.
I agree but will also add this tidbit: for fans of the new version of "Hawaii Five O", our Mark has made two appearances now as the arch-villian Wo Fat! It may be a more regular thing, who knows... Just thought I'd add to your already-excellent Answer!
I DO miss him on Iron Chef, however. Too bad he's like us, a mortal human, after all, and not able to be more places at once, eh? ;-)
jipsi
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Mark Dacascos, the same Chairman as Iron Chef America
Not in real life. However, for the competition they claim a relationship, the Chairman of Iron Chef America says that the Chairman of Iron Chef in Japan is his uncle.
Mark Dacascos.
Yes the chairman did play Wo Fat in that episode. His name is Mark Dacascos
The challenger gets bragging rights, and the Iron Chef's record gets worse. The challenger does not become an iron Chef