For those who prefer food through the medium of television rather than their own lips there’s some local interest in the next big thing to hit our TV screens this spring. Channel 4 will screen Iron Chef UK which, in its US format, was acclaimed by Guardian arts critic Michael Hann as ‘the single best thing on TV’, a combination of ‘haute cuisine, sports broadcasting and martial arts’. Nick Nairn is part of the team providing a running commentary as chefs go head-to-head to prepare dishes in an all-action ‘Kitchen stadium’ filled with all the gadgets, machines, ovens and stoves they could ever wish for. Among the competing chefs are Tony Borthwick of The Plumed Horse in Leith, Pierre Levicky of Chez Pierre and Craig Dunn of Michael Caines Fine Dining Restaurant at the ABode Hotel in Glasgow. Iron Chef UK screens throughout April at 5pm each day.

The Iron Chef judges might get an opportunity to sample Pierre Levicky’s cauliflower and stilton soup, or the enigmatic Edinburgh-based chef may just keep it under wraps for his Pierre Victoire revival night at Chez Jules on Hanover Street on Tuesday 13 April. Back ‘for one night only’ (though you never know with Pierre) is a three-course menu for just £4.60 featuring eighties revivals such as chicken supreme with Parma ham, chocolate roulade and banana toffee pie. Levicky’s assistants in the kitchen include students from the Edinburgh School of Food and Wine. Book for the meal at Chez Jules on 0131 226 6992.