It was the Japanese TV show that paved the way for reality hits like MasterChef and My Kitchen Rules, captivating a generation of foodies (you could say the ‘original’ foodies) with a cult-like following. And while the show officially finished in 1999, the Iron Chefs made a spectacular return last night in a one-off reunion charity dinner in the Sydney Opera House.

Returning together for the first time in over two-decades Iron Chefs Rokusaburo Michiba (Japanese), Hiroyuki Sakai (French), Kenichi Chen (Chinese) and Masahiko Kobe (Italian) battled it out once again to bring guests a six-hour culinary feast like no other. Special guests Michelin-starred Kentaro Chen and Asia’s number one pastry chef Janice Wong also joined the all-star lineup of chefs to create a menu reflective of each Iron Chefs speciality cuisine.

Guests were also treated to insider tips and advice from the Iron Chefs along with some much-loved theatrics (these are the Iron Chefs after all). Iron Chef legend Rokusaburo Michiba also graced the stage in his first and what is being called his last time to ever to cook outside of Japan. The 87-year-old presented guests with a traditional Japanese Owan Mono with truffle, scampi, groper and sea urchin roe dish that he said brought the best of Australian produce and Japanese cuisine together.

Rare and collector items such as signed aprons and exclusive experiences from the Iron Chefs were auctioned off in the name of charity with proceeds going to Opportunity International Australia who seek to provide small loans to families in developing countries.

The world-first dinner ended as expected on a high with all the Iron Chefs returning for a standing ovation and one final should of “Allez Cuisine.”