One of the Midlands’ most accomplished chefs is to prove his mettle when he competes in a new, dynamic and tough culinary challenge known as ‘Iron Chef UK’.

Iron Chef UK is a British cooking show based on Fuji Television’s Iron Chef, and follows the hugely successful Iron Chef America. The show is produced by IWC Media and will be shown on Channel 4 in April. In each episode, a new challenger chef “battles” one of the resident “Iron Chefs” in a one-hour cooking competition based on a theme ingredient.

Sudha Shankar Saha, executive chef at Birmingham’s leading Indian restaurant Saffron will be competing for the title. He will be pitting his wits against a team of Michelin star industry chefs from throughout the UK.  

Sudha, who has worked in restaurants across Spain, Dubai, Canada and India, is hoping the show will further establish his expertise as someone who thrives under pressure.

An exponent of fine Indian cuisine, Sudha recently won the prestigious Alaska Seafood Challenge in London beating a chef from Gordon Ramsay’s restaurant in Claridges and demonstrated his skills to more than 20,000 visitors at the Food and Drink World Expo at the NEC, March 21^st – 24^th.

Last year, 35-year-old Sudha, was a finalist in the FSB Leicestershire and Rutland region award and runner-up in the British Turkey Chef of the Year 2009.

The acclaimed Saffron, in Wolverhampton Road, Birmingham, offers an exquisite menu of Asian food featuring the freshest ingredients and the finest seafood, was included in the 2010 Good Food Guide.

Chef Sudha continually strives to offer the finesse of Indian cuisine, using local and seasonal produce infused with authentic spice and given a modern twist. His signature dishes include Scottish Beef Fillet, Highland Venison, Wild Seabass, Gressingham Duck, a very nouvelle approach to Indian cuisine.

 “I am absolutely passionate about cooking and always looking for a challenge that pushes the boundaries.

“I aim high and my dream is to attain a Michelin star,” he said.