Apron Boys Special - Boys?!?

Air Date: 05/24/2006

Contestants: Hazama Kanpei (間寛平), Ishidazuka Hidehiko (石塚英彦), Yama-chan (山ちゃん), Peter (ピーター), Razor Ramon - Hard Gay (ﾚｲｻﾞｰﾗﾓﾝＨＧ), Maeda Ken (前田健)

Guest Judges: Akiyoshi Kumiko (秋吉久美子), Cunning Takeyama Takanori (カンニング竹山隆範), Megumi

Theme Ingredient/Recipes:
Shrimp / Seafood Frid Soba and Shrimp Shumai

Recap: This was going to be an interesting episode just from the guest list. Now I'm no expert on the gay scene in Japan, but I do know that the contestants this time around are all 'Apron Boys', some of whom are gay, some of whom are acting gay, and some of whom may be just cross-dressers. But the theme based on the contestants should be obvious. Peter had been crowned a Special Epu in an earlier episode, so it should be an interesting to see if he can keep that standing. There was an amusing bit during the intro, where Megumi wanted to see Hard Gay's eyes (because he always wears shades... I think he's her type).

Cooking time was brief as always, with the focus mainly on Peter's cooking style. There was an impressive trick that Ken did in order to create a fried soba bowl using two strainers. Then it was Tasting Time, and for Ken-chan a special surprise judge. Apparently he has a crush on Cunning Takeyama and has been vocal about it at appearances elsewhere. So they brought him out as a guest judge.

First up was Ishidazuka, who hadn't had much luck on a previous edition of Apron Boys. His shumai looked a bit strange and pretty much fell apart when touched. However, they tasted very good even though he used hamburger with the shrimp. As for the fried soba. It really wasn't that fried, and the shrimp and other ingredients were basically just boiled in water. The bucket runs began... Yama-chan was up next, and his shumai was okay. But his fried-soba included sour cream as one of the ingredients, so it looked pretty disgusting. It appeared to maybe be okay at first, but as the judging continued everyone concluded that it was pretty bad.

Hard Gay was up next, and did an interesting trick with his shumai. He left the tails in the shrimp so they stuck out of the top of the shumai. Everyone liked it. He did well with his fried soba too, although there were some doubts at first. Hazama was next to be judged, his shumai wasn't even aired it was good enough. However his fried soba was really bad, and like many others he mistook baking powder for something else. The bucket runs began again.

When it was time for Ken to be judged, they did a short segment featuring an apartment and kitchen tour, followed by the required 'Fridge Check'. Ken is a pretty skilled cook, doing well with both dishes. Of course the cameras had to focus on the reactions from Cunning Takeyama. Peter also maintained his style, getting rave reviews from everyone on both of his dishes.

Judgement Time forced Megumi to take a stroll outside and I think she wishes she had taken a coat with her. Yama-chan and Hazama both ended up outside, though neither achieved the Worst Epu ranking. Peter retained the Special Epu ranking, while Ken is just outside as the highest ranked Top Epu. (Note: Remember that as of a few weeks back, Apron Boys are being ranked separately from the Apron Girls. They used to be mixed)

Ranking ( out of 23 ):
Peter: 1 (Special Epu ranking)
Maeda Ken: 3
Razor Ramon - Hard Gay: 7
Ishidazuka Hidehiko: 10
Yama-chan: 19
Hazama Kanpei: 20