<P> Unlike Iron Chef , where chefs had roughly 5 minutes to discuss their strategy before the battle begins , the revelation of the theme ingredient occurs 45 minutes before the start of the battle . However , this segment is not shown on television , and it is a common assumption that the battle starts immediately after the secret ingredient is revealed . This practice was described on an episode of Unwrapped . </P>
when do iron chefs learn the secret ingredient
45 minutes before the start of the battle