What do LA Chefs Michael Cimarusti (Providence), Ludo Lefebvre (Ludo Bites), Ben Ford (Ford's Filling Station) and David Myers (Comme Ça, Sona) have in common? They've all taken their turn as challengers on Food Network's Iron Chef America. While Cimarusti was the only Los Angeles chef whose cuisine ultimately reigned supreme, during season 6's Battle Blackfish, Makoto Okuwa — executive chef of Manhattan Beach's Sashi Sushi + Sake Lounge and former sous chef to Iron Chef Morimoto — is about to enter Kitchen Stadium for the first time as challenger to Iron Chef Michael Symon.

To celebrate the Star Chef award winner's first lead performance as Iron Chef challenger, Makoto and five of his colleagues — Morimoto (Morimoto), Michael Volataggio (Top Chef, The Dining Room at the Langham), Noriyuki Sugie (Breadbar, Ironnori), Waylynn Lucas (Patina) and Sonny Sweetman (Wolfgang Puck Catering) — are gathering in Sashi's kitchen on Thursday, July 8th to create a six-course tasting menu that will be served during a private viewing of Iron Chef America. Tickets are $120 per person and include cocktails and hors d'oeuvres (5 p.m.), the six-course tasting menu (first course served at 7 p.m.) and a private viewing of Iron Chef America (8 p.m.). Limited seating is available, so call ahead for reservations.

Sashi Sushi + Sake Lounge: 451 Manhattan Beach Boulevard, Suite D126, Manhattan Beach. (310) 545-0400.

Advertising disclosure: We may receive compensation for some of the links in our stories. Thank you for supporting LA Weekly and our advertisers.