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Highlights from Iron Chef America: Battle Oktoberfest

See top moments from the special themed episode, Iron Chef America: Battle Oktoberfest on Food Network.

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The Iron Chef Team

Iron Chefs Geoffrey Zakarian and Michael Symon have been teamed up by the Chairman to take on the first battle in a new series of themed battles on Iron Chef America.

Challenger Chef BERNHARD MAIRINGER (center), is accompanied by ALEXANDER WALZER, and RAPHAEL IANNIELLO, in studio kitchen during the Octoberfest battle, as seen on Food Network’s Iron Chef America.

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Photo: Todd Plitt ©

The Challenger's Team

The challenging chef is Chef Bernhard Mairinger (center), an Austrian who loves to put modern twists on classic Austro-German dishes at his restaurant, Bierbeisl, in Beverly Hills, Calif. He is joined by Chefs Raphael Ianniello and Alexander Walzer.

Mark Dacascos "The Chairman," introduces the Octoberfest theme to Challenger Chef BERNHARD MAIRINGER, and Iron Chef's MICHAEL SYMON, and GEOFFREY ZAKARIAN, in studio kitchen during the Octoberfest battle as seen on Food Network’s Iron Chef America.

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Photo: Todd Plitt ©

Battle Oktoberfest

The Chairman announces today's battle theme, Oktoberfest. The altar is revealed, brimming with ingredients that make up a veritable Bavarian feast, including pork, veal, pretzels, sauerkraut and beer.

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The Challenge at Hand

Each team must create five courses, with the first dish prepared within 20 minutes for the judges. A culinary curve ball, which needs to be incorporated into one dish, will be revealed later. Iron Chefs Symon and Zakarian are looking forward to cooking with the ingredients, but they are up against Chef Mairinger, who has an upper hand since he cooks with them every day.