Leapfrog Public Relations Agency

When the UK version of cult cookery show Iron Chef airs for the first time on national television next week, workers at Dorset-based Johnsons Stalbridge Linen Services will be watching closely to catch a glimpse of their products on prime time TV!

Tom Aikens, Sanjay Dwivedi, Martin Blunos and Judy Joo.(Channel 4)

The company supplied more than 100 sets of chefs’ whites for use in the high-energy show, which originated in Japan and rapidly became a smash hit in the US.  When the programme launches next Monday (26 April) at 5pm on Channel 4, executives at the Wincombe Business Park head office in Shaftesbury will be tuning in to follow the fortunes of the culinary challengers who will compete with four resident Iron Chefs in the ultimate kitchen cook-off.

“When we heard that the producers were looking for chefs’ whites to use in the programme, we sprang into action and arranged an immediate delivery of 100 sets in an array of sizes,” said David Hill, sales and marketing director of Johnsons Stalbridge Linen Services, a leading specialist supplier of linen and workwear hire, and laundry services, for many of the UK’s leading kitchens.  “We also supplied 100 table napkins and some tablecloths for use in the programme, so we’re all looking forward to spotting our products while also picking up some cookery tips!”

The show features teams of eager challengers taking on four resident ‘Iron Chefs’.  It is held in Kitchen Stadium and presided over by a mysterious figure called The Chairman, an enigmatic Japanese ringmaster who embodies the ‘ancient heritage’ of the competition.  In each episode, the Chairman gives contestants a ‘Special Ingredient’ – anything from aubergine to octopus – which must be central to their dish.  The programme will air across the week and culminate in the grand Friday Final, when the best competitor and best Iron Chef battle it out for a £1,000 prize.

The four Iron Chefs are Tom Aikens, the youngest ever chef to earn two Michelin stars at 26, Sanjay Dwivedi, who has toured with the Rolling Stones, Martin Blunos, founder of the famous Restaurant Lettonie, and Korean chef Judy Joo who worked alongside Gordon Ramsay for two years.  The UK version will be hosted by Saturday Kitchen wine expert Olly Smith, with Ready Steady Cook star and Michelin chef Nick Nairns as his co-commentator.