Iron Chef USA was the first American adaptation of the Japanese television series Iron Chef, appearing on the UPN television network in 2001. Two pilot episodes were aired, the "Las Vegas Showdown" and the "Holiday Battle", neither to critical acclaim. It would not be until 2004 when another adaptation of Iron Chef, titled Iron Chef America, would air.

Like the original Japanese series, the show featured an eccentric chairman, played by William Shatner, who creates his own "Gourmet Academy" with four elite chefs who take on challengers in a specially-constructed "Kitchen Arena" ("Kitchen Stadium" in the original).