Iron Woman: Cat Cora of 'Iron Chef America'

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DOES CHOPPING AND dicing with the boy's club get old for "Iron Chef America" star Cat Cora? Nah. She relishes going cutting board to cutting board with Morimoto, Bobby Flay et al. Still, eventually, the hit show will probably get another fairer-sex star. And she could arrive shortly. A new face, gender currently undetermined, will join the show soon, with the competition series "The Next Iron Chef"currently airing on the Food Network Sunday nights at 9. Cora dished about secret ingredients and what it takes to hang in Kitchen Stadium.

» EXPRESS: The competitors on "The Next Iron Chef" are good cooks, but what will make one of them win?
» CORA: They have to wear a lot of hats. They have to be a great chef and an entertainer. We have to be able to cook under pressure but also talk on camera and talk to Alton [Brown] and direct the sous chefs. It also has to be someone with media skills — someone who has an overall great persona.

» EXPRESS: If you could give an aspiring "Iron Chef" any other tips, what would they be?
» CORA: Come in with some fantastic ideas. If one cuisine is your strong point, that's great, but bring it in fresh every single show. Try to do something new and different and exciting. And then, put tennis shoes on. You can't wear clogs and be an Iron Chef! Put sneakers on, because you're going to be running.

» EXPRESS: The new season of "Iron Chef America" starts in January. What should fans expect?
» CORA: We're going to continue to bring in chefs from all over, from different countries as well. They can expect a lot of excitement, a lot of craziness.

» EXPRESS: What have your least- and most-favorite secret ingredients been on "Top Chef"?
» CORA: I think my least favorite was for the second battle I ever did. It was [a] whole hog, and it was crazy. It was so intense trying to get the hogs broken down in order to get started. My favorite? I think the honey battle was pretty cool. They had these giant vats of colored honey — I was blown away.

» EXPRESS: You just opened a restaurant at Disney World, right?
» CORA: It's called Kouzzina by Cat Cora. It's my first high-end restaurant. Kouzzina is Greek for kitchen. It's a Greek-inspired restaurant. We just had the grand opening.

» EXPRESS: What's on the menu?
» CORA: Cinnamon-stewed chicken, the lamb shanks or the whole roasted fish prepared with fennel, olives and peppers.

» EXPRESS: You have four children and a lot on your plate professionally. Aren't you exhausted?
» CORA: I think I'm past that point. Now it's just kind of happening. I wouldn't change a minute of it, though. I have a wonderful partner and four boys under the age of six. I think they're the ones that continue to inspire me and make me want to be more creative. And I have a great team — it takes a village for me, both personally and professionally.

Photo courtesy The Food Network