Ed Levine, who just so happens to have judged Iron Chef, is taking issue with Sietsema's 'unveiling' of the show: "I have always been told that the competing chefs know that the secret ingredient ... it doesn't take anything away from how insanely difficult it is to produce five dishes in an hour in that kind of pressured environment. I have judged Mario Batali, Bobby Flay, and Cat Cora in action, and ... they still sweat bullets and work their asses off because it is, in fact, a real competition and they don't want to be embarrassed in front of their peers, the judges, the audience in Kitchen Stadium, and the viewers at home." So there. [Serious Eats via Eater]

The Village Voice's Robert Sietsema goes to a taping of Iron Chef and discovers that the entire show is even more staged than you've ever thought. The entire piece is rife with disillusionment, Batali impersonators (!), dishes recreated for judging and just plenty of epic smoke and mirrors: "It became obvious that, knowing the main ingredient all along, the chefs had developed a series of recipes the way chefs normally do—through ideation and experimentation, trying and discarding recipes before settling on the collection ... This was no contest—it was a culinary fait accompli." [Village Voice]

As if you needed more proof that Martha Stewart is a force that cannot and will not be contained: "Martha Stewart, housekeeping maven and media overlord, just bought out the entire Emeril Lagasse empire including his canceled TV shows The Essence of Emeril and Emeril Live, his cookbook series, and everything the man has ever stuck his name on (besides his restaurants) for a cool $50 mil ... As a special bonus, Martha has just secured herself a lifetime supply of that BAM! B-Q Sauce whohah." [Eater]

From the Eater Inbox comes some delectably juicy gossip regarding Ryan, one of the locals appearing on the upcoming season of Top Chef: "What chef from Myth was seen yesterday working as a waiter at pier 23 cafe? Ryan...thats who. Do with the info what you will. Hear he is a very nice guy. Guess he didnt win the $100,000 if he is working as a waiter at pier 23 cafe." UPDATE: Pier 23 Cafe has indeed confirmed that Ryan is currently training as a waiter, so now the question becomes: red herring or spoiler? [Eater Inbox]

Quite possibly coming soon to a supermarket newsstand near you: "There has been talk in the past few months that several staff members of Every Day with Rachael Ray were being hired by another company to fill up slots for a competing magazine. Now it looks like those rumors might be true. Portfolio is reporting that Hearst and Scripps are going to team up with Food Network to create a new food and lifestyle magazine based on the network." [Slashfood]

Today, it was announced that California will undertake "an exciting new national TV campaign" to promote its "bounty" of food and wine. But that's not the best part: the ads (beginning February 4; set the TiVos) will feature Arnold Schwarzenegger, First Lady Maria Shriver and wine and culinary celebrities. So which culinary stars get to co-star alongside the Governator? Folks, put your hands together for Mr. Thomas Keller. [PR Newswire]

Food Network has new show called Rescue Chef due in March, but something seems recycled, like the premise: "Rescue Chef is actually British-born Danny Boome — veteran of both Canadian and English TV shows — and in the show he will be rescuing everyday cooks from their culinary catastrophes. It sounds a bit like Tyler Florence's old show Food 911 ..." Yes, the similarities are indeed striking to the old show of San Francisco's resident celebrity, errr celebrity chef! He's a chef too. [YumSugar]

Ever wonder what Tony Bourdain reading No Reservations set to the dangerously hypnotic rhythms of Morcheeba sounds like? We have to say, it's fairly brilliant in more ways than one. [Late Greats via Eater LA]

Less than a week after the season four cheftestants were announced, we've already had an educated guess at the winner; now, Eater breaks down some early favorites and possible villains. Oh, and let it be known that The Bauer has caught Top Chef fever as he grudgingly approves of the show: "Hey, as far as I'm concerned, it's better than following the Giants, As or 49ers." [Eater, Between Meals]