The newest version of the Japanese hit show Iron Chef has received some mixed reviews, but local fans of the show’s American incarnation have special reason to tune in to the Food Network this Sunday at 9 p.m.: D.C.’s own Roberto Donna will take on Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto in a cross-cultural battle that pits the authentic Italian cuisine of Donna against the Japanese fusion of Morimoto in a culinary fight to the finish.

DCist’s take on the battle? Donna is an extremely skilled chef, and his cooking may be friendlier on the palate than the dishes of his relentlessly creative opponent; Morimoto has been known to serve judges dishes like ostrich egg ice cream, often to his detriment. We wonder, however, how Donna will work under the time constraints of Kitchen Stadium. Morimoto is a seasoned veteran of program, having appeared on both the American and Japanese versions. Donna is particularly in trouble if chairman Mark Dacascos selects scallops as a theme ingredient — apparently he’s not a fan. But predicting Iron Chef outcomes is never easy, extremely dependent on the whims of the judges. Going out a limb, DCist calls the battle for Morimoto, by a margin of four points.

>> DCist on Morimoto’s new venture in Tysons.

Image from Foodtv.com