Denyer to host Iron Chef Australia

Sunrise weather reporter Grant Denyer on Noosa Main Beach.

Darryn Smith

SUNRISE weatherman and self-confessed non-foodie Grant Denyer has been announced as the host of the Australian incarnation of the worldwide cooking show sensation Iron Chef.

Last month the Seven Network announced that chefs Neil Perry, Guy Grossi and Guillaume Brahimi have signed up for Iron Chef Australia, which begins production in Melbourne this month.

The arena-style competition cooking show, already a worldwide hit, will see these chefs pitted against aspiring professional cooks in a battle against the clock.

Food critics Larissa Dubecki, from Fairfax, and Simon Thomsen, from News Limited, will be joined by well-known restaurant critic Leo Schofield to form the three-strong judging panel on the show.

Denyer will be joined in the commentary box by award-winning food writer Richard Cornish.

"This is an exciting new challenge for me," Denyer said in a statement released, no doubt strategically, two days before Network Ten's cooking show juggernaut Junior MasterChef hits screens.

"I'm not a foodie. I'm as green as a capsicum when it comes to food.

"Living on the road with Sunrise, my cuisine consists of two-minute noodles and chiko rolls.

"I'm going to enjoy being inspired by great food and talented chefs. It's a huge honour to be involved."

The world-wide hit format of Iron Chef originated in Japan before being developed in the US where it has become a ratings smash success over the past six years.